BHUBANESWAR/CUTTACK: A double-engine government by BJP is crucial for acceleration of development in Odisha, said Bollywood's dream girl and BJP leader Hema Malini on Friday. The star campaigner of BJP in her first election campaign in the state targeted the BJD government accusing it of failing to secure Odisha's progress on many fronts. Hema, who attended BJP's Ashirvad Samabesh at Salia Sahi, the state capital's biggest slum, to canvass for party's Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha candidate Aparajita Sa

CUTTACK: The Railway Board has sanctioned a final location survey for a new line between Angul and Nayagarh Town via Narasinghpur, Kantilo and Khandapada and a chord line between Khurda Town and Kaipadar Road. Addressing a Vijay Sankalp Samabesh at Sri Ram Bazaar in Narasinghpur, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw showed the sanction order and said the new line is poised to bring significant economic and infrastructural benefits to the region, enhancing connectivity and fostering growth. The Rail

BHUBANESWAR: As campaign has reached a peak ahead of the second phase elections in Odisha on May 20, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday came down heavily on the Union ministers, CMs from other states and others leaders for resorting to what he termed derogatory and abusive language in their campaign meetings and rallies. With the Opposition, particularly the BJP pressing all its might in the state to win the polls by bringing in top ministers, its CMs and top leaders, the chief minister sai

SAMBALPUR/ANGUL: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday visited Sambalpur, Angul and Dhenkanal districts urging people to exercise their franchise in favour of BJD candidates from the areas during the polls. In Sambalpur, the chief minister, bolstering his support for BJD organisational secretary and MP candidate from Sambalpur seat Pranab Prakash Das along with MLA candidates from Sambalpur and Rengali, Rohit Pujari and Sudarshan Haripal, appealed to the people to vote for Jodi Sankha. Address

BERHAMPUR: A group of miscreants made a failed attempt to free a murder accused detained at Kodola police station in Ganjam district, resulting in a scuffle with police officers. The accused, Bikram Parida of Chachina village, is wanted in connection with the 2023 murder of Dipu Patra, a Surat returnee allegedly killed over illegal liquor trade disputes. Although five persons, including a juvenile, were arrested in October 2023, Bikram had been absconding until his arrest on Wednesday evening. D

BALANGIR: BJP candidate from Titlagarh Assembly constituency Nabin Jain narrowly escaped an attack by a group of youths while he was returning from Saintala late on Thursday night. Police arrested five persons in the connection on Friday. Though Jain escaped the attack, two of his supporters sustained injuries after being beaten up by the miscreants and are currently undergoing treatment. The victims Dolamani Bastia sustained head injuries while Nagendra Behera received wounds in his leg. Jain,

BERHAMPUR: Ahead of second phase polls in the state, sporadic instances of pre-election violence have been reported across Ganjam district. Anti-social elements, allegedly supported by political parties, have become increasingly active. In Polasara, unidentified youths shot at BJD supporter Ganesh Khatei (39) on Thursday, who narrowly escaped with a grazing head injury. Sources said while Ganesh was standing at College Chowk, the bike-borne youths fired at him and drove away. A bleeding Ganesh w

BALASORE: Balasore MP and BJP Lok Sabha candidate Pratap Chandra Sarangi has urged the police and district labour office to take stern action against the owner of a prawn processing factory for employing minor girls. On Thursday, more than 18 girls including minors working in the factory had to be rushed to hospital after they fell ill following ammonia gas leakage. Sources said, the gas leak in Snow World Prawn Processing Unit was reportedly caused by a technical issue at the factory located in

BHUBANESWAR: A day after ordering deployment of 20 companies of CAPF in Ganjam in view of pre-poll violence in Khallikote, chief electoral officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal on Friday held talks with political parties seeking their cooperation in ensuring peaceful voting in the next three phases of elections. During the meeting, attended by leaders of major political parties, the CEO reiterated there is no place for violence in democracy and no law and order situation will be tolerated during the

ROURKELA: Union Home Minister Amit Shah once again launched a scathing attack on the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, dubbing it the Jhola Sarkar over issues related to the Public Distribution System (PDS) rice scheme. Addressing a massive election rally in Rourkela, Shah sought votes for BJPs Sundargarh Lok Sabha candidate Jual Oram and the partys Assembly candidates for Rourkela, RN Pali, and Birmitrapur. Shah questioned the competence of the BJD government, raising concerns about the admini

BHUBANESWAR: Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) will soon offer core banking facilities like real-time gross settlement (RTGS), national electronic fund transfer (NEFT) and micro ATM provisions. Computerisation of more than 95 per cent of the 2,710 PACS in 30 districts of the state has been completed and data migrated to common banking software (CBS). The NEFT/RTGS service will enable inter-bank electronic fund transfer services for PACS. The PACS in the state are a part of around

A distance of 335 km between two places can change many things. Two different geographies could mean different lives, livelihood, dialects, climate, cultural practices, food and a lot more. But, between Hinjili and Kantabanji, there are dissimilarities and equally, a common ground. Hinjili, for all the attention it garnered over the last two decades and a half, is like a reluctant celebrity. A quaint little semi-urban place, it has grown over the years into a municipal area with modern amenities

BHUBANESWAR: After furore over murder of a BJP worker in Ganjam district, DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi on Friday ordered to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sensitive case on a priority basis. The police have so far arrested nine miscreants in connection with the case. According to the Odisha Police, the SIT will make efforts for early arrest of all those involved in the crime, collect evidence (scientific/forensic/digital) and submit the chargesheet of the case within 30 days for

BHUBANESWAR: The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday directed collectors of nine districts to strictly implement Orissa High Courts orders in connection with treatment, rehabilitation and other aspects of leprosy-affected persons. In a directive to collectors of Bargarh, Balasore, Cuttack, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Khurda, Mayurbhanj, Puri and Sundargarh, the department asked them to ensure regular visits of district welfare officers and medical teams

BHUBANESWAR: Directorate of Horticulture has entered into a collaboration with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to revamp market linkage of farmer producer organisations (FPOs) in Odisha and tap global markets. With the help of Palladium as the technical support unit of the promotion and stabilisation of farmer producer organisations (PSFPOs), this strategic alliance aims at facilitating the seamless integration of Odishas premium mango and fresh vege

BHUBANESWAR: Sambalpur Universitys Centre of Excellence in Natural Products and Therapeutics has started a research internship programme for students of the institution and from outside the state, becoming the first public university of Odisha to do so. The internship is for both under-graduate and post-graduate students who can learn about research techniques, approach, equipment, among other things at the centre of excellence. Senior officials of the Higher Education department informed this i

BHUBANESWAR: With the 16th Finance Commission set to hold talks with states over financial devolution, the Odisha government has begun the process of preparing a full-fledged proposal on the states demands as per the terms of reference. The commission, headed by former vice chairman of NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya, is expected to resolve the controversy over tax devolution and suggest ways to augment the states respective consolidated funds to supplement the resources of local bodies such as pan

JHARSUGUDA: Calling for local representation in Odishas governance, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stirred controversy during an election campaign rally in Belpahar, Jharsuguda by raking up the issue of the lost keys of the Ratna Bhandar of Shree Jagannath temple. Criticising the incumbent Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government led by Naveen Patnaik, Sarma said there is serious lack of trust and accountability. Attending a public meeting of BJP at Belpahar, Sarma lamented the absence of Odia

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court directed for immediate opening of the tender bids for installation of fire fighting systems in SCB medical college and hospital without waiting for permission of the chief electoral officer (CEO), Odisha. The two-judge bench of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice MS Raman held, Since this matter is of immense public importance concerning lives of patients undergoing treatment, doctors, paramedical attendants and all concerned in one of the biggest ho

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Thursday stayed the execution of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against Kendrapara MP Anubhav Mohanty in a case of cruelty and insulting the modesty of woman brought by his wife Varsha Priyadarshini in December 2020, prior to their divorce. Anubhav had moved the high court for the cancellation of the NBW against him in the case. Senior advocate Pitambar Acharya argued on behalf of Anubhav, who joined the BJP on April 1. While issuing the interim order, the

ROURKELA: Taking potshots at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during an election meeting in Sundargarh town on Thursday evening, BJP national president JP Nadda called the BJD government a'remote-controlled government. Nadda was campaigning for the BJP's Sundargarh Lok Sabha candidate, Jual Oram and other contenders from Sundargarh, Talsara and Rajgangpur Assembly constituencies, Kusum Tete, BS Bhoi and Narsingh Minz, respectively. Launching a veiled attack on 5T chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian,

BERHAMPUR/BHUBANESWAR: As Odisha readies for its second phase elections, pre-poll violence raised its ugly head in Ganjam district where a BJP worker was killed and eight others injured in a clash with BJD supporters at Srikrushnasaranpur village under Khallikote police limits. According to reports, the clash took place on Wednesday night over putting up banners by the BJP workers led by local party leader Dilip Pahan in the village which was opposed by the BJD supporters. Pahan is reported to h

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday held a massive roadshow in the state capital during which he reached out to people reiterating BJDs commitment to provide free power to 90 per cent of families in Odisha. In what is viewed as a well thought out strategy, the BJD pulled out its most popular face and star campaigner to neutralise the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modis roadshow held exactly a week back. Naveen was given a rousing welcome by thousands of supporters as the m

BHUBANESWAR: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday claimed his party will form the next government in Odisha. BJD and BJP have ruined the state. People will not vote for them. After 24 years, Congress will again come to power in Odisha, Kharge told mediapersons here. He asserted BJP will not return to power at the Centre and said this time an INDIA alliance government will be sworn to save democracy, protect the Constitution and ensure unity of the country. The BJP at the most will g

BHUBANESWAR: BJP national president JP Nadda on Thursday said, people of Odisha have taken a unilateral decision to bless BJP in both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections this time as they want to give rest to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Holding a roadshow in the state capital in support of partys candidates, Nadda asserted that people of the state want to bring the BJP government with a two-thirds majority. The BJP president held a 2 km roadshow from Mausima temple to Lingaraj temple in the

SAMBALPUR: Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate for Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan, launched a scathing attack on the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) during his election campaign in Sambalpur city on Thursday. Pradhan lamented the alleged neglect of Sambalpur despite the state being under BJD rule for 24 years, accusing the government of adopting a step-motherly attitude towards the region. During his campaign trail, Pradhan engaged in door-to-door canvassing in Tablap

BHUBANESWAR: Star campaigner of BJD VK Pandian on Thursday said people of Odisha will not tolerate ministers from Chhattisgarh disrespecting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during their poll campaign and give a befitting reply to them. Launching a marathon campaign in Balangir Lok Sabha constituency during which he addressed election meetings at Titlagarh, Kantabanji, Patnagarh and Loisingha, Pandian said BJP leaders are talking about Odia Asmita but abusing the most popular leader of the state wi

PURI: Niladri Mahodaya, the foundation day of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri was observed with traditional fervour and according to the prescribed guidelines of the shrine on Wednesday. As per the Madala panji, (almanac) Srimandir was consecrated on this day which falls on Astami Tithi, and idols of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra installed on the Ratnasimhasan. The occasion holds significance as it is one of the 12 important festivals observed in the temple. The day began

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur Sadar police on Thursday arrested a Congress MLA candidate from the Digapahandi Assembly segment and his associate for their alleged involvement in the attack on a group of realtors the previous day. The candidate S Sujit Kumar and his associate K Amit Kumar had a heated exchange of words with the realtors over a piece of land in Kukudakhandi on Wednesday, following which Sujits supporters allegedly threatened the latter with dire consequences, SDPO Subhranshu Parida said. T

SAMBALPUR: Police on Wednesday arrested the 22-year-old bus driver of a private school in Ainthapali on charges of sexually assaulting a Class IX girl student continuously for around a year. The incident took place in 2022. The accused, Pabitra Bhoi, was the owner of the bus and picked up and dropped off students himself. As per the cops, Bhoi had approached the victim and collected her phone number. Eventually, he began talking to her after school hours. The accused also used to video call the

BHUBANESWAR: A couple of days after huge amount of cash was seized from the car of Jajpur-based contractor Nihar Mandhata by officials of the Income Tax department in the city, the BJP on Thursday claimed the money was supposed to be distributed among voters in Korei and Sambalpur. Addressing mediapersons here, state BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said Mandhata, one of the accused in the illegal mining of minor minerals from Dankari hills in Jajpur district, is close to BJDs organisational secreta

Educationist-turned-politician, Achyutananda Samanta is known for his contribution towards tribal empowerment through education. He won the Lok Sabha polls from Kandhamal constituency on a BJD ticket in 2019 and this time, the party has renominated him from the seat. Samanta speaks to Bijay Chaki about his efforts for development of Kandhamal and more. Excerpts: Kandhamal is among the backward districts of the state. What steps have you taken for the development of your constituency during the l

JAJPUR: In a shocking incident, three labourers were buried alive while two others sustained injuries when a soil mound collapsed on them during laying of a water pipeline as part of drinking water project in Rahasa village under Alkund police limits of Jajpur district late on Wednesday night. In a separate incident, another labourer died in an illegal stone quarry, pegging the number of deaths at four within last 24 hours in the district. The stone quarry mishap took place at Dhankari under Dha

BALASORE: Residents of Gopalpur, Rajnagar and other adjoining villages in Jaleswar of Balasore district are living in fear after lease holders of West Bengal reportedly began erecting walls in the Subarnarekha river, thus changing the course of the water body towards their habitation. Villagers said the lease holders were doing so to facilitate lifting of sand from the area. As per sources, these lease holders began erecting the walls 20 days back and have till now constructed around 15 such wal

CUTTACK: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a show cause notice to the state government as to why compensation of Rs 2 lakh should not be paid to the next of kin of a tribal woman who died due to negligence in the process of child birth on February 2, 2023. Acting on a petition, the apex human rights panel on Tuesday asked the chief secretary to respond to the show cause notice within six weeks. On January 31, 2023 at 9 am, Manorama Dongori, 28, was admitted at the DHH Nabara

BHUBANESWAR: Hours after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced at a public meeting that people of Odisha will not have to pay electricity bills from July this year, BJP asked BJD to clear the confusion on the scheme. Senior BJP leader Samir Mohanty told mediapersons here that the BJD in its manifesto has promised to provide free electricity to domestic households consuming less than 100 units per month while the advertisement published in newspapers states electricity will be free from July an

BHUBANESWAR: National BJP president JP Nadda on Wednesday called upon members of the partys mahila morcha (womens wing) to give maximum publicity to Subhadra Yojana under which each woman member of a family will get a cash voucher of Rs 50,000 within two years of BJP government assuming power in the state. Addressing a programme on the scheme titled Empowered women empowered Odisha at a hotel on the outskirts of the city, Nadda said the new scheme promised in the BJP manifesto is another step to

BHUBANESWAR: After a long wait, the states premier cancer institute Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer (AHPGIC) at Cuttack is all set to start Doctorate of Medicine (DM) course in medical oncology. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved the state governments proposal to start the DM course in medical oncology in AHPGIC. The new course will start from the academic session 2024-25 and strengthen medical education in Odisha. This was one of the 158 PG medical courses clea

CUTTACK: A day after 5T chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian claimed the state government has spent crores of rupees on mega drinking water projects, residents of Ekadal village in Narasinghpur block staged a road blockade demanding drinking water in the locality. The villagers placed pitchers and buckets on the road to the village and alleged they have been deprived of drinking water due to the apathy of local administration and the MLA. The village, with a population of around 1,000, is located

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the weather during first phase polls in the state on May 13 was tolerable, it may not be the same during the second phase as heatwave is likely to return with a vengeance from this weekend. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said heatwave condition is likely to occur at one or two places in Nuapada, Balangir, Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts on Saturday and Sunday. Similar weather condition is expected to prevail at a few places in Sonepur and Boudh distr

BHUBANESWAR: BJDs star campaigner and 5T chairman VK Pandian on Wednesday alleged BJP had conspired to stall the Ekamra project in the state capital. Addressing a public meeting in Ekamra Assembly constituency, he said, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and a Union minister conspired to stall the project. Was it the right thing to do, he asked adding, as an MP, Aparajita was supposed to get big projects in IT, skill development and flyovers sanctioned from the Centre. MPs of cities like Bengaluru

BHUBANESWAR: A mobile application - Mo Booth - was launched by chief electoral officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal here on Wednesday to make the voting process smooth and hassle-free for both electors and polling officials of Khurda district. The mobile application will not just help voters locate their designated polling stations but also provide them real-time status on the number of people waiting in queue at a booth at a given point of time. This would enable the voters to plan their booth vis

ROURKELA: The OMC Limited, in a course correction, rescheduled the national e-auction date for sale of minerals to May 21. The change of date came shortly after the news about clashing of the schedule with the date of voting in Sundargarh district on May 20 was published in TNIE on Tuesday. MSTC Ltd, a government of India enterprise rendering e-commerce services and conducting the e-auction for OMC Ltd, on Wednesday through email informed the prospective bidders that the national e-auction origi

JEYPORE: Padwa police on Wednesday arrested a 25-year-old man of Pujariput village on charges of torture and abetment of suicide of his wife. The accused Pravas Singh is a small-time trader. The victim, 21-year-old Sibani Singh from MV-10 in Malkangiri district had married Pravas two months back after both their families consented. On Monday, Pravas father smelt something burning and traced it to the bathroom. On rushing to the spot, he allegedly saw Sibani engulfed in flames. The family rushed

BARIPADA: Residents of Jagannathpur village within Baripada Sadar police limits of Mayurbhanj district are on their toes after spotting a leopard amid the human settlements on Wednesday morning. Villagers believe the big cat might have come out of the Similipal Tiger Reserve which is located just 12 to 13 km away from their area. Fearing for life, they have since been staying indoors and informed the forest officials. Led by deputy director of STR South division Samrat Gowda, forest personnel re

JAGATSINGHPUR: The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Kujang, Parthsarthi Pattnaik on Tuesday sentenced an anti-JSW project leader Debendra Swain and his three supporters to imprisonment for hurling bombs at the house of one Pravat Rout from Govindpur village in 2021. Swain from Dhinkia village under Abhyachandpur police station received a two-year jail term while his accomplices Manas Bardhan, Kailash Das, and Abhya Mallick were sentenced to six months in prison each. The judge has also im

CUTTACK: In a temporary relief to 59 owners of on-campus medicine stores in public health institutions, the Orissa High Court has ordered the state government to maintain status quo in the matter pertaining to vacating of the shops. The shop owners had filed writ appeals against the Single Judges April 19 order which had refused to interfere with the state governments move to stop the campus medicine stores from operating in government health institutions. The division bench of Chief Justice Cha

BHUBANESWAR: The Election Commission has raised objection to collection of voters personal data, including their Aadhaar numbers, by some candidates, stating it is antithetical to free and fair elections. While directing political parties and the candidates to refrain from collecting such data, chief electoral officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal has urged voters not to share their Aadhaar details and mobile numbers with any political party or candidate. Sources said, the CEOs move was caused by concerns

BHUBANESWAR: The biography of former chief minister of Odisha Nandini Satpathy, was released at Bakul Library in the city recently. Titled Nandini Satpathy: The Iron Lady of Odisha, the book has been authored by journalist-cum-writer Pallavi Rebbapragada. Speaking on the occasion, Pallavi said the story of Nandini Satpathy was the best kept secret in Indian politics, and regretted people like her knew so little about such an inspiring figure. During a talk with a Congress junior of Nandini Satpa

ROURKELA; In a move that has raised eyebrows, the state government-owned OMC Ltd has issued notice that it will hold national e-auction for selling minerals on May 20, the date on which Sundargarh is scheduled to go for elections. This has come as a shocker for the residents of the district since the ECI has particularly stressed on enhancing voter turnout and the district administration, in particular, called upon employers to grant paid leaves to employees so that they can exercise their franc