Page 7 - Odisha

Cong leaders detained ahead of PM Modi's visit to Odisha, OPCC slams move

Odisha Police detained several Congress workers ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Friday. Among those put under preventive detention are Syed Yashir Nawaz, general secretary of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), and four other youth leaders. They are currently being held at the Capital police station here, an official said. In a statement, the OPCC condemned the detention of its leaders. "Modi is coming to Bhubaneswar for the first anniversary celebrations of the BJP state government in Odisha. Why are they afraid of Congress leaders?" asked Yashir. He added that the party will not be intimidated by such actions. "We will intensify our fight against the BJP government in the interest of the people of Odisha, and we are not afraid of arrests," he asserted. After reaching the Biju Patnaik International Airport here in the afternoon, Modi will join a 'Triranga Yatra' and later address a public meeting. Around two lakh people are expected to atten

PM to visit Bihar, Odisha from June 20; will celebrate Yoga Day in Andhra

PM Modi will unveil key infrastructure projects, attend public events, and lead International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam

Red alert issued for Odisha, Jharkhand, Bengal as IMD warns of heavy rains

IMD weather Rain Prediction: Red alert issued for Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bengal, Assam & Meghalaya as IMD forecasts widespread rain, storms, and strong winds from June 18 to 23

Puri temple panel urges ISKCON not to violate Rath Yatra traditions

Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee in Odisha's Puri has written to the ISKCON, urging it to ensure that Lord Jagannath's ceremonial bathing rituals and the Rath Yatra across the world are performed on the specific date sanctioned by scriptures and not to violate traditions. Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb of Puri, the chairman of the committee, expressed displeasure over some of the ISKCON temples across the world performing the sacred bathing rituals ('Snana Yatra') and the Rath Yatra on various dates, and alleged that such practices "violate the scriptures and the Hindu calendar". In a letter to Shree Govardhan Das Prabhu, chairman of ISKCON Governing Body Commission, Mayapur, Deb said, I request your good self to ensure that no ISKCON temple or centre anywhere in the world performs the 'Snana Yatra' or 'Ratha Yatra' of Lord Shree Jagannath on a date/tithi not sanctioned by scriptures and traditions." Deb also claimed that the temples of the ISKCON authorities outside Ind

Mohan Charan Majhi's govt puts industry on fast track, jobs trail in Odisha

While speaking to the media on June 10, Majhi reaffirmed his commitment to filling 150,000 vacant government positions over the next five years, in line with the BJP's election manifesto

CRPF officer killed during anti-Naxal operation in Odisha's Sundergarh

A CRPF official was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast during an anti-Naxal operation in Odisha's Sundergarh district on Saturday, officials said. ASI Satyaban Kumar Singh (34) of 134th CRPF battalion sustained injuries on his left leg in the blast, they said. He was evacuated to a hospital in Rourkela, where he succumbed to his injuries, the officials said. The Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) hailed from Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The blast took place around 6 am near the K Balang village of Rourkela when a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and special operations group (SOG) of Odisha Police was carrying out a combing operation in the area.

Rourkela Steel Plant commissions advanced ladle furnace to boost output

The Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) of SAIL on Thursday said it has commissioned a state-of-the-art Ladle Furnace 2D (LF#2D). A ladle furnace is the second unit used to refine molten steel after it is produced in a primary furnace. It was commissioned in Steel Melting Shop-II on Wednesday. This achievement underscores RSP's commitment to technological modernisation, enhanced productivity, and a strong culture of safety, the company said in a statement. The newly operational LF#2D is a critical facility that will significantly boost productivity by ensuring a timely and efficient supply of liquid steel to the new slab caster alongside the existing ones. Alok Verma, Director In-Charge, RSP, with additional charge of Durgapur Steel Plant & IISCO Steel Plant said, Steel is not just what we make it is who we are. RSP is truly proud of everyone's sincere and hardworking efforts. He also congratulated everyone associated with the project for the successful commissioning of LF#2D. The LF#2

Odisha govt suspends IAS officer Dhiman Chakma accused of taking bribe

The Odisha government on Tuesday placed IAS officer Dhiman Chakma under suspension, a day after he was sent to jail for allegedly taking bribe from a businessman, officials said. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered suspension of Shri Dhiman Chakma, Sub Collector, Dharamgarh with immediate effect, an official release said. Chakma, a 2021-batch IAS officer, was on Sunday caught by sleuths of the vigilance department while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 10 lakh from the businessman at Dharmagarah in Kalahandi district. It is further ordered that during the period of suspension, the headquarters of Shri Chakma is fixed at the GA&PG Department, Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, and he shall not leave the said headquarters without prior permission, a notification issued by the General Administration Department said. He was arrested on Monday, and produced before a court, which rejected his bail petition. Chakma was sent to jail at Dharmagarh, but later shifted to a hospital .

Odisha IAS officer caught accepting ₹10 lakh bribe in Kalahandi district

Odisha Vigilance caught IAS officer Dhiman Chakma red-handed accepting ₹10 lakh bribe in Kalahandi; ₹47 lakh unaccounted cash recovered from his official residence

Vedanta Aluminium partners with PwC India for sustainability initiatives

Vedanta Aluminium on Thursday announced the expansion of its partnership with PwC India to scale up sustainability initiatives across its operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Initially centred on biodiversity projects around Vedanta's Jharsuguda smelter, the partnership will now extend across all its operational regions and will also focus on decarbonisation, water positivity, and biodiversity conservation, marking a major step in integrating sustainability throughout the company's value chain, the company said in a statement. "This collaboration with PwC exemplifies our unwavering dedication to driving sustainable growth and championing environmental stewardship. Anchored in robust ESG principles, we are actively working towards carbon neutrality by 2050 and supporting India's net zero vision for 2070," Vedanta Aluminium Chief Executive Officer Rajiv Kumar said. Kumar further noted that "by addressing critical ecological challenges, improving operational efficiencies, and placing

Choice Int'l arm secures Rs 63.47 cr govt projects in Maharashtra, Odisha

Choice Consultancy Services, an arm of Choice International, on Thursday said it has secured project management contracts worth Rs 63.47 crore across Maharashtra and Odisha. The company has been awarded a Rs 52.80 crore work order from the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) under the World Bank-backed MahaSTRIDE programme to set up District Strategic Units in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Division, the company said in a statement. In Odisha, the firm emerged as the top-ranked bidder for a Rs 10.67 crore project floated by the State Urban Development Agency to provide engineering consultancy in 58 urban local bodies, it added. "These project wins further validate our strategic direction and reinforce our positioning as a trusted execution partner in high-value public sector initiatives," Choice International's CEO and Executive Director, Arun Poddar, said. Over the past few weeks, Choice Consultancy Services has secured various government transformation projects worth ov

Vedanta exploring using biodiesel in CV fleet in Odisha's Jharsuguda plant

On the World Environment Day, Indian mining and metals firm Vedanta Ltd said on Thursday that it is exploring using biodiesel in the commercial vehicle fleet at its Jharsuguda township in Odisha. The company, Vedanta Aluminium, said in a statement that it has pledged to decarbonize 100 per cent of its light motor vehicle fleet by 2030. Towards this effort, the company is exploring the use of biodiesel in its commercial vehicle fleet after conducting successful pilot runs to evaluate its feasibility. Further, it has begun using biomass briquettes made from agricultural residue for co-firing applications at its Lanjigarh alumina refinery in Odisha and BALCO smelter in Chhattisgarh. At Lanjigarh refinery unit in Odisha's Kalahandi district, 20 tonnes of biomass are co-fired daily, cutting down over 10,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually, it said. Similarly, the company has introduced a 10-ton electric forklift at its aluminium plant in Jharsuguda and now operates a large

No one will remain landless under new land scheme, vows Odisha CM

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi vows no one will remain landless in the state. The government plans reforms to modernise revenue administration and ensure land rights for all citizens

Odisha Police prepares massive security for Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra

Odisha Police has prepared massive security arrangements for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath later this month, an official said on Tuesday. Director General of Police Y B Khurania on Monday held a high-level meeting with top police officers including those looking after intelligence, law and order, rail and coastal security. He ordered them to give special attention to incidents like possible stampede situation, drive against criminals and devotees amenities. The DGP also stressed on the deployment of K9 squad or dog squad, the official said. Several Union ministers and many VVIPs are likely to visit Puri during the Rath Yatra as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has invited many Union ministers and chief ministers of NDA-ruled states to visit Puri during the Rath Yatra. Last year President Droupadi Murmu had witnessed the Rath Yatra festival in Puri. The DGP also directed to ensure smooth traffic movement, barricade arrangements, and quick resolution of various problems i

Raining cash: Engineer throws bundles from window during raid, ₹2 cr seized

The anti-corruption wing of the Odisha Police carried out raids at multiple locations linked to the government chief engineer in Bhubaneswar

NHRC asks DGP Odisha for detailed report in Balangir journo attack case

The NHRC issued a formal notice to the DGP Odisha in the case where a TV journalist was attacked in Balangir district

CBI arrests ED Deputy Director Chintan Raghuvanshi in ₹20 lakh bribery case | Bhubaneswar

CBI has arrested Chintan Raghuvanshi, a deputy director of the Enforcement Directorate in Odisha, for allegedly accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe from a mining businessman. Here's what we know.

Deep depression over Bay of Bengal to trigger heavy rain in Odisha: IMD

The well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal, which intensified into a deep depression on Thursday, is likely to trigger heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. In its bulletin, the IMD stated that the depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal off West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts moved nearly northwards with a speed of 20 kmph during the past 3 hours and intensified into a deep depression about 60 km southeast of Sagar Island, 110 km east-southeast of Digha and 260 km east of Balasore. It is likely to continue to move northwards and cross West BengalBangladesh coasts between Sagar Island and Khepupara (Bangladesh) by afternoon, the weather office said. In response to the developing weather system, the IMD issued Orange Warning (be prepared to take action) in the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj and Jagatsinghpur. The weathe

CHSE Odisha instant exam 2025: Online form submission begins today

CHSE Odisha has begun the application form submission process for the CHSE instant exam 2025 today, May 28, on the official website

Heavy rains lash Odisha, more downpour expected till May 30, says IMD

Heavy rain lashed several parts of Odisha under the influence of a well marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, and more downpour is forecast in the state till May 30, the IMD said on Wednesday. It issued an Orange' alert (be prepared to take action) in five districts Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Cuttack, Koraput and Rayagada where lightning and thunderstorms with gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are likely during the period. The low-pressure area over Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast became well marked over the same region at 0530 hrs IST of today. It is likely to move slowly northwards and concentrate into a depression during the next 24 hours, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin. Under the influence of the weather system, Odisha will experience heavy to very heavy rainfall till May 30, it said. The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the deep sea between May 29 and June 1. Rainfall is likely in all Odisha districts, said ...