SCR Records Heaviest Footfall in Four Days

Hyderabad: A record 4.3 lakh unreserved passengers travelled from the city to different destinations from Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Kacheguda and Lingampally railway stations from May 9 to 12. According to officials from South Central Railway (SCR), a daily average of 1.05 lakh passengers travelled in general coaches, which is 52 per cent higher than the daily average of 68,800 unreserved passengers. In order to cater to the rush because of summer vacations, Lok Sabha elections and the weekend rush, SCR introduced more than 60 additional special trains between the two Telugu states from May 9 to 15. The special trains from the twin cities to Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Narsapur, Vijayawada, Nagersol and Machilipatnam, recorded more than 100 per cent occupancy. Special trains were also run to Khurda Road, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Cuttack (All Odisha), Bengaluru, Danapur, Gorakhpur, Agartala, Udaipur, Santragachi, Kollam, Jaipur and Rajkot. Around 41 additional coaches, including AC III tier, sleeper class and general second class coaches were added to the 40 regular trains to accommodate the additional rush of waitlisted passengers, said SCR officials.

Odisha Govt Withholds Pension & Gratuity Of Ex-ASO After Conviction In Bribery Case

Cuttack: The pension and gratuity in full of a retired Assistant Section Officer in Cuttack district were withheld permanently after her conviction in a bribery case. The accused has been identified as Renuka Devi, Ex-ASO (Retired), Board of Revenue, Odisha, Cuttack. Renuka was charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance in Cuttack Vigilance PS Case U/s 13(2) r/w [] The post Odisha Govt Withholds Pension & Gratuity Of Ex-ASO After Conviction In Bribery Case appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

DMs asked to look after leprosy patients

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 to rehabilitation colonies of leprosy patients, cleaning and sanitation of the colonies, skill development of the patients and their families, and follow up on concerning issues relating to surgery, implants, distribution of micro-cellular rubber footwear, wheelchairs and other ancillary items to them. The high court had last year appointed three amicus curiaeadvocates Bibhu Prasad Tripathy, Gautam Mishra and Pami Rathto learn about the various problems faced by leprosy patients. A PIL was filed by Bipin Bihari Pradhan, general secretary of state leprosy welfare federation, in 2015, seeking direction to the government for effective implementation of the National Leprosy Eradication Programme.

Orissa HC directs opening of bids for SCB fire safety installation, MCC notwithstanding

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 hospitals of Odisha, we observe that if no permission is granted by the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha by May 17, 2024, the tender may be directed to be opened under the order of this Court. The bench directed the state counsel Debakanta Mohanty to communicate the order to the CEO forthwith. The court was hearing of a PIL on inadequate fire safety measures at the premier medical institution. Maitree Sansad, a city-based private organisation, filed the petition. Advocate Ajay Mohanty represented the petitioner. The bench posted the matter to May 20 for further stock taking of installation of fire fighting system in the 33 buildings of SCB MCH. In an affidavit, director general of Fire and Emergency Services Sudhanshu Sarangi on Wednesday informed the court that all the projects for installation of fire fighting system in 33 buildings of the SCB MCH have been approved by the state government. Of the 85 buildings in the medical college and hospital, 33 require fire safety certificate. The Health and Family Welfare department and Finance department had accorded the required approval for the Public Works department to go ahead with the projects. The tender process has been initiated by inviting bids. But the bids could not be opened on March 16, 2024 as the model code of conduct is in force for the general elections. The PWD has requested the CEO, in a letter on April 19, 2024, to grant permission to open the bid by waiver of the restrictions. The finalisation of tender and execution of work will be taken up after getting permission from the CEO or when the restriction of MCC is lifted on June 4, 2024, Sarangi, who was present in person in court, stated in the affidavit.

Orissa HC stays NBW against ex-MP Anubhav

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 single judge bench of Justice BP Routray directed that the execution of the NBW ordered on May 13 for the production of Anubhav shall remain stayed till the next date of hearing on July 8, 2024. The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Cuttack, dealing with cases against MPs and MLAs, had directed the inspector-in-charge of Purighat police station to execute the non-bailable arrest warrant by May 23. Initially, Anubhav was summoned by the trial court to appear before it on May 10 for framing of charges in the criminal proceedings arising out of the complaint lodged by Varsha. The framing of charges was deferred to May 13 as Anubhav moved a time petition on that day. But when a time-petition was again moved by his counsel on Monday the trial court issued the NBW. On December 19, 2020, the Purighat police station had registered the case on the complaint in which Varsha had alleged that Anubhav and his two aides Sujit Dalei and Khagendra Prasad Sahoo had locked her up in a room in his house at Nandi Sahi in Cuttack.

Deprived of basics, tribal villagers in Banki vow to boycott polls

CUTTACK (PANCHAPADA): Deprived of government benefits, over 850 tribal voters of Panchapada-Dholakatha, Nuakua, Behenta Sahi, Dahani Gadi and Pitha Khia under Banki Assembly segment have threatened to boycott the elections. At least 340 tribal families, including 85 in Dholakatha, 18 in Nuakua, 55 in Behenta Sahi, 90 in Dahani Gadi and 92 in Pitha Khia reside in the five villages which is collectively called Panchapada situated in a 7-km radius within the jurisdiction of the Chandaka-Dampara wildlife sanctuary. The residents of the Sabar community have voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards and record of rights (RORs) containing information about both their homesteads and the agricultural land they possess. But the housing schemes of both the Centre and the state government are yet to benefit them. Their damaged houses, which have no windows or doors, are covered with polythene sheets. We are unable to cultivate our land due to deficit rainfall for the last five years. So there is no way of getting straw to thatch our houses. We are forced to use planks made of bamboo and other sticks or simply hang clothes to cover the open doors and windows of our houses. Though we have been leading miserable lives and have approached the local administration and MLA several times, we are yet to avail benefits of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana or Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana, said Dhirendra Naik, Mohan Majhi, Sukant Majhi and Ajit Kumar Pradhan of the village. The administration has built four primary schools in the five villages where students from Class I to Class V study in a single room. While two to three solar lights have been provided to each village, most of the villagers use kerosene lamps in their houses. With solar-powered pipeline drinking water failing to cater to their needs, the villagers depend on an open well dug by them. Different political leaders who come during each election time assure to redress our grievances. But after elections, they plead that the Forest Act is hindering the construction of concrete houses in the villages, said locals, who convened a meeting on Wednesday and decided to boycott the poll. Banki sub-collector Debi Prasad Mohanty said he has asked Dampada BDO to enquire about problems in the village and report initiating the necessary steps to resolve them. Dampada BDO Ansuman Mohanty, however, was not available to comment on the issue.

People of Odisha have decided to give rest to Naveen Patnaik: Nadda

Bhubaneswar: Holding a roadshow in the Odisha capital in support of party candidates, BJP president J P Nadda on Thursday asserted that people of the state have decided to give rest to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik by electing the saffron party to power. Nadda, who was standing in a saffron-coloured open-hood vehicle flanked by Bhubaneswar's BJP MP and candidate Aparajita Sarangi and Ekamra-Bhubaneswar assembly seat's party nominee Babu Singh, was seen waving at crowds on both sides of the road during the roadshow from Mausina Chhak to Lingaraj temple. People greeted the BJP president and showered petals on him from buildings on either side of the road, while BJP workers participating in the roadshow waved party flags and raised slogans. Speaking to reporters during the three-km roadshow, Nadda said people's enthusiasm indicates that they have decided to give rest to Naveen Patnaik, who has been ruling Odisha for the last 24 years, and elect a BJP government in the state. Referring to the first phase of simultaneous elections in the state on May 13, when voting was held in four Lok Sabha seats and 28 assembly constituencies, Nadda said, The BJD has missed the bus. Asked on the BJP's probable CM face in Odisha, Nadda said the saffron party had decided on its chief ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan within three days of the election results. Odisha will also see something similar, he said. Nadda's roadshow in Bhubaneswar was held a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's roadshow in neighbouring Cuttack. Later in the day, Nadda is scheduled to address two public meetings in Bargarh and Sundargarh Lok Sabha seats. The BJP president arrived in Odisha on Wednesday. Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik is also scheduled to take out a roadshow in the state capital in the evening. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge will hold a press conference later in the day. He is also scheduled to address a rally at Phulbani in Kandhamal district. His visit came a day after senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addressed an election rally in Bolangir. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had visited Odisha twice for election campaigning, is set to visit again on May 20. Apart from Union ministers, the chief ministers of BJP-ruled Assam, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan have also campaigned in Odisha. Simultaneous elections to the 147 assembly seats and 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state are underway.

Breather For Anubhav Mohanty! Orissa HC Puts Stay On Non Bailable Warrant

Cuttack: The Orissa High court has given a much needed breather to actor-turned-MP Anubhav Mohanty on Thursday, said reports. According to reliable reports, the Orissa High Court has put a stay order on the Non Bailable Warrant (NBW) issued against actor Anubhav by the Cuttack special JMFC court. In a shocking matter, an NBW [] The post Breather For Anubhav Mohanty! Orissa HC Puts Stay On Non Bailable Warrant appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

NHRC notice to Odisha government on compensation for womans death

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 Nabarangpur with labour pain. She delivered a stillborn male child at 9.26 am on the same day. At around 8.20 pm on February 1, 2023, Manorama was referred to Sahid Laxman Nayak Medical College Hospital at Koraput as she developed abdominal complications after a blood transfusion. But she died on the way. The matter reached the NHRC with Jeypore-based human rights activist and lawyer Anup Kumar Patro filing a complaint about it. Manorama was received dead at the Koraput hospital as the ambulance carrying her reached after much delay, Patro alleged seeking compensation for the death. Pursuant to the direction of NHRC, the special secretary of Health and Family Welfare department had stated in a report that the ambulance left Nabarangpur DHH at 11 pm on February 1, 2023, but broke down on the way. Another ambulance was arranged which picked up the patient from the breakdown site and reached Koraput at 3 am on February 2, 2023 and was declared as brought dead. In the May 14 order, the NHRC held the state government vicariously responsible for the death and said, This act of negligence has violated the Right to Health and Right to Life of the deceased victim under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Odisha: AHPGIC to start Doctorate of Medicine course in medical oncology

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 cleared by the medical assessment and rating board (MARB) of NMC across the country. The three-year course imparts training to candidates in the field of medical oncology and related subjects with adequate exposure to clinical and laboratory-based activities. The candidates will be selected through NEET. Aspirants with MD/DNB in medicine/paediatrics/radiotherapy from any institution/university recognised as the NMC will be eligible for the course. Two seats for the super-speciality course have been approved. Selected candidates will be taught on diagnosis of any cancer, therapy, follow up of cancer patients after successful treatment and palliative care with terminal malignancies, said an official of AHPGIC. With this, the number of seats in super specialisation courses in oncology has gone up to six. Earlier, AHPGIC had two seats each for MCh course in surgical oncology and gynaecological oncology. Apart from the two MCh courses, MD (medicine) in radiation oncology and diploma in radiotherapy technician courses are also being offered. Health secretary Shalini Pandit said the new course would help reduce the shortage of trained medical oncologists and improve effective diagnosis. Meanwhile, the NMC has also approved the proposal to start postgraduate courses in the departments of anaesthesiology (three seats) and ophthalmology (three seats) in the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research and Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar. The new courses will start from the 2024-25 academic year.

Day after Pandian boast, Cuttack villagers stage road blockade for drinking water

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 atop a hillock on the bank of Mahanadi river. Locals said women of the village have to walk for around 2 km on the parched sand bed of the river to fetch drinking water from Sidhamula ghat in Nayagarh district. The village does not even have a tube well. Though the Rural Water Supply & Sanitation(RWSS) department has laid a pipeline, the water does not reach the village as it is situated on a hillock. Due to the persistent drinking water scarcity, people of nearby localities are refusing to marry their daughters to our sons. Though we have been repeatedly approaching our MLA Debi Prasad Mishra and Narasinghpur BDO, both are oblivious to our plight, alleged the villagers. Holding pitchers and buckets, the villagers had staged dharna in front of Narasinghpur block office on April 26 and threatened to for boycott the ongoing elections if their grievance was not addressed. The dharna was withdrawn after the BDO and RWSS authorities assured them to address the issue within 15 days. But no steps were taken and we were compelled to stage the road blockade today, said the villagers. The blockade was withdrawn after authorities assured the villagers to solve the problem within 48 hours.

Heat set to return to Odisha, may impact voting

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 districts on Sunday. Flow of moisture carrying winds from Bay of Bengal is likely to weaken in the coming days which will reduce Norwester activity over the state. Thus, the mercury level is expected to shoot up, said an IMD official. Five Lok Sabha seats - Bargarh, Sundargarh, Balangir, Kandhamal and Aska and 35 Assembly constituencies spread over nine districts will go to polls in the second phase scheduled on May 20. Hot and humid weather is likely to prevail in some districts like Bargarh, Balangir and Sundargarh on that day, said the IMD official. Not just the upcoming phase, sweltering heat is likely to prevail in the state during the remaining polling dates (May 25 and June 1) too. The likely formation of a depression over the Bay of Bengal will enhance the flow of dry and hot north-westerly winds towards the state and trigger a rise in the mercury level, said a weather expert. Sources said as hot and humid weather is set to return in the coming days, there has been a demand by voters for specific forecasts for places which will go to polls in the next three phases. Though the IMD has been doing it since the elections started, the regional Met office is yet to issue election specific forecasts. Meanwhile, six places in the state recorded 40 degree Celsius or more as no thundershower activity was reported in the regions on the day. Nuapada was the hottest at 42.2 degree Celsius. The twin city of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 37.2 degrees Celsius and 37 degree respectively. The Met office has forecast gradual rise in maximum day temperature by 2 degree Celsius to 4 degree Celsius in the next three days at many places in the state.

Will open Shree Jagannath temple's 4 doors in six hrs says Amit Shah

CUTTACK/BERHAMPUR: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday made two big promises to the people if the BJP government is elected in the state. The first would be opening all the four doors of Shree Jagannath temple at Puri for devotees within six hours of the party chief minister taking oath and the second ensuring that all the people who fell victim to the chit fund scam get back their lost deposits within one-and-a-half years. Speaking to mediapersons during his massive roadshow in Cuttack in the evening, Shah also said the findings of the enquiry report of Lord Jagannath temples Ratna Bhandar missing keys will be made public within a month of BJP forming government in Odisha. Alleging that the BJD government was not cooperating in the probe into the chit fund scam, Shah said, We declare to return money to all those who have lost their deposits. Besides, all those involved in the chit fund scam will be sent to jail. Asserting that the BJP chief minister will take oath on June 10, Shah said there was widespread resentment among the people against the Naveen Patnaik regime in the state. The pride of Odisha and dignity of Odias are the main issues. We do not have any personal dispute with Naveen Babu. But the people of Odisha have a problem with the non-Odia officer who is ruling the state as his proxy, he said. Before his roadshow in Cuttack, Shah addressed an election meeting in Sorada in Ganjam district where he came down heavily on the Naveen Patnaik government for hijacking Central government schemes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sends 5 kg of rice to every individual every month, benefiting 80 crore people across the country, including Odisha. However, Naveen Patnaiks government puts his photo on the rice sacks and claims credit for it. The Central government led by Prime Minister Modi is focused on providing essentials like rice, whereas Naveen Patnaik government is only interested in symbolic gestures, he said. The people of Odisha have bid farewell to Naveen Patnaik, signalling the end of his tenure, and now the BJPs chief minister is set to take over, he added. Shah further alleged that the Naveen Patnaik government has set Odisha back by 50 years in 25 years. Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have no villages without roads, but Odisha still has 6,412 villages without roads. The people should choose the lotus, and within two years, Modi Ji will ensure construction of roads in every village, he stated. He also promised that the BJP government will establish irrigation facilities, set up ethanol factories, and ensure cooperative sugarcane milling to make sugarcane farming lucrative for farmers. Ganjam is Naveen Patnaiks area, and he has been the chief minister for 25 years, but not a single factory has been established here. There is no drinking water supply, no irrigation system, and no cold storage facilities. If the people of Ganjam make the BJP victorious in Lok Sabha and their six Assembly constituencies, it will work to make Ganjam district the number one district in the country, he said.

Vote for Congress candidates to save Constitution, reservation: Rahul Gandhi

BHUBANESWAR/BALANGIR: Congress star campaigner Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday cautioned people of the state on BJPs attempts to amend the Constitution of India and end reservation. BJP wants to destroy Constitution, scrap reservation: Rahul Gandhi BJP leaders are stating they will amend the Constitution. But I want to tell the BJP leaders that no force in the world can touch this book (Constitution). If you try to tear and throw away this book, watch what the people of the country and Congress party will do to you, Rahul said addressing an election rally in Balangir while holding a copy of the Constitution. This was Rahuls second visit to Odisha to campaign for his party candidates. He had launched the partys campaign at Salipur in Cuttack district on April 28, the birth centenary of Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das. Rahuls target in the meeting was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre and media. He did not utter a single word against BJD at Balangir. Coming down heavily on BJP, he said the saffron party is working only for a select few while ignoring the rest. The BJP waived off loans worth around Rs 16 lakh crore of 22 billionaires, which equals 24 years of MNREGA funds. The party has done nothing for 90 per cent of the countrys population. It has not waived off loans of farmers and students, he claimed. Rahul said during the 10 years of Narendra Modi government, only 22 persons have become arabpatis (billionaires). But if Congress is voted to power, it will create crores of lakhpatis. A list of poor, dalits, tribals, farmers will be made and one woman from each household will be paid Rs 8,500 per month. Similarly, unemployed youths will also be paid Rs 8,500 per month for one year, he added. Stating Congress will hike wages under MGNREG to Rs 400 from Rs 250 and double the remuneration of anganwadi and ASHA workers, he said loans of farmers will also be waived. The grand old party will provide legally guaranteed MSP for paddy, wheat and other agricultural produce, he promised. The Gandhi scion urged the voters to cast their votes for Congress candidates to save the Constitution and continue reservation. He announced if an INDIA alliance government comes to power at the Centre on June 4, its first task will be to order a caste-based census. Strength of different castes will be known, so that a government based on Bhagidari starts functioning. Politics of common people will start, the government will be of common people (Janata Sarkar). This will end over-dependence on limited number of billionaires and officials as is going on during Modi sarkar, he said. Odia cinestar Manoj Mishra, Samarendra Mishra, the son of CLP leader Narasingha, Mishra and Santosh Singh Saluja are in the fray from Balangir Lok Sabha, Balangir Assembly and Kantabanji Assembly seats resepectively. Kantabanji has assumed significance after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik chose it as his second constituency in this election.

Battleground Odisha: Modi, Shah, Patnaik, Rahul ready for attack

With Lok Sabha and assembly elections happening concurrently in Odisha, key leaders from various political parties are actively campaigning in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held multiple rallies, directly addressing challenges from Navin Patnaik. Modi is set to visit Odisha again on May 20 for public meetings in Angul and Cuttack, as well as a roadshow in Puri. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda are also campaigning aggressively, with Shah accusing Patnaik of distributing rice bags with his own pictures pasted on them.

Shah holds roadshow in Cuttack, says BJP will form govt in Odisha

Cuttack: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Wednesday held a roadshow here to bolster the prospects of party candidates in the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha. Standing on a saffron-coloured vehicle decorated with flowers, Shah embarked on the road show from Gopabandhu park, covered several important junctions in the city including Buxi Bazaar, []

Amit Shah holds mega roadshow in Cuttack

Cuttack: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday led a massive roadshow in Cuttack on Wednesday evening to pitch for BJP candidates for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state. After making sharp attacks on the BJD government and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing an election meeting at Soroda in Ganjam [] The post Amit Shah holds mega roadshow in Cuttack appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Shah holds road show in Cuttack, says BJP will form govt in Odisha

Shah holds road show in Cuttack, says BJP will form govt in Odisha Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held a road show here to bolster the prospects of party candidates in the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha. Standing on a saffron-coloured vehicle decorated with flowers, Shah embarked on the road show from Gopabandhu park, covered several important junctions in the city including Buxi Bazaar, Tinikonia Bagicha, Dargha Bazaar, Choudhry Bazaar, Naya Sarak, Balu Bazaar, Chandni Chhak and Mohammadia Bazaar and Chandi Mandir Chhak. He was accompanied by BJPs Cuttack Lok Sabha candidate Bhartruhari Mahtab and Cuttack-Barabati assembly candidate Dr Purna Chandra Mohapatra. Shah, holding an illuminated lotus (party's election symbol), waved and greeted thousands of people who gathered on both sides of the road as his vehicle moved past. Thousands of party workers and people from all parts of the city raised slogans in support of BJP. Overwhelmed by the response of the people, Shah said, ''After observing the enthusiasm among the people, I can only say that the BJP will form the next government in Odisha.'' A total of 18 platoons of police forces were deployed on the route. Local police arrangements were made keeping in mind Z-Plus security and election model code of conduct.

No dispute with Naveen Patnaik, but manner in which Odisha govt run by officer from outside: Shah

Cuttack: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Wednesday said while there is no dispute with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, he expressed concerns about the states administration being led by an officer from outside the state. We have no dispute with Naveen Babu, but the manner in which an officer from outside is running the state []

Shah Accuses Naveen Patnaik of Blocking Ram Temple Participation

Bhubaneswar: Union home minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah on Wednesday attacked Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik by accusing that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government headed by him very tactfully stopped the people of the state from participating in Prana Pratishta Utsav of Ram Lalla at Ayodhyas Ram Temple on January 22. He asserted that people of Odisha will not forgive Naveen Patnaik for his misdemeanour and vote him out of power this time. When the whole world was celebrating the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla, Naveen Babu very cunningly deprived them of the opportunity to be part of this festival. This is a sheer act of ungratefulness, Shah said while addressing a grand public rally at Soroda in Ganjam district. Shah, as per political experts, hinted at the BJD government celebrating Jagannath Parikrama Pakalpa, a renovation programme of Lord Jagannath temples courtyard in Puri, in a grand style, apparently to divert the attention of Odisha people from all the euphoria that was created around the Prana Pratishta Utsav. The home minister also castigated the ruling BJD for not the Centres Ayushman Bharat healthcare programme saying CM Naveen Patnaik denied the scheme to people of Odisha fearing that it will account for rise in Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity in the state. He also took a potshot at the BJD for rebranding the free rice provided by the Centre to the poor in the state. Naveen Babu! You have pushed Odisha backward by 25 years. People of Odisha have decided to say Bye-bye, Tata, Goodbye to you. You cannot any longer cheat them. Odisha will have a new government after the elections and an Odia will become the chief minister of the state, declared Shah. The home minister, while questioning the state government on its silence over the missing of Lord Jagannaths Ratna Bhandar keys, assured that the Narendra Modi government will ensure that the persons responsible for missing of the keys are brought to book and punished. He also told the people that the patrons of chit fund scamsters who have looted Odisha people to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore will also be strictly dealt with. The BJP stalwart said there had been a complete halt in extremism and Maoist activism in the country due to strong leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Earlier, we used to see bloodshed caused by the Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. After Narendra Modi came to power at the Centre, he challenged them and destroyed the enemy camps in Pakistan soil. Now, bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir has stopped and Maoist activities have also come to an end, said Shah. Later in the evening, Shah held a roadshow in Cuttack city seeking votes for the party's Lok Sabha candidate Bhartruhari Mahtab and MLA candidates.

PM Modi on Maharashtra tour, BJP-Congress veterans to address election rally today

Odisha: After the completion of four phases of election campaign, the excitement for the last three phases of election campaign is increasing. All the parties including BJP and Congress are putting their full strength in the campaign. BJP's biggest face and PM candidate Narendra Modi is going to campaign for party candidates on Maharashtra tour. According to the program released by BJP, Prime Minister Modi is going to address an election rally in Dindori. The rally is scheduled to be held at around 3.15 pm. After this, PM will address a public meeting in Kalyan, its time is proposed to be around 5.15 pm. After Kalyan's public meeting, Prime Minister Modi is going to hold a road show to campaign in Mumbai North East Lok Sabha seat. The time of the road show has been fixed at around 6.45 pm. Shah takes command in Bengal and Odisha: Along with PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is going to visit West Bengal and Odisha. Shah is going to start the election campaign at 11 am in Hooghly, West Bengal. A rally is proposed in Mosat Bazaar of Hooghly for the candidate contesting for Serampur Lok Sabha seat. After which Shah can leave for Odisha. Shah is going to hold an election public meeting and road show in Odisha. According to the program released by BJP, an election meeting is going to be held in Aska Lok Sabha area at around 2 pm. This rally is to be organized at Surada Dam side of Ganjam district. After which Shah is going to do a road show in Cuttack. Shah is going to hold a road show from around 5.30 pm to campaign for Cuttack Lok Sabha seat. Nadda will visit Odisha, Bihar and Bengal: In this series of intense election campaign, BJP National President JP Nadda is going to visit three states. Nadda will visit Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha. Nadda is going to start the election campaign from East Champaran district of Bihar. Nadda will leave for West Bengal after addressing a public meeting in Motihari at 11.15 am. Nadda is going to hold an election rally in Murshidabad district at around 2.35 pm. After this, another public meeting is proposed in Bankura at around 4.10 pm. After Bengal, Nadda will leave for Odisha. In Odisha, BJP chief Nadda is going to hold an important meeting from around 7.50 pm. According to BJP, the meeting is related to Subhadra Yojana and it is going to be organized in Khordha district. Programs of Congress leader Kharge and Rahul Gandhi: If reports are to be believed, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are going to campaign in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. According to reports, Kharge will be seen holding a press conference in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday morning. After this, a public meeting is planned in Rae Bareli at around 1.30 pm. Kharge can hold a public meeting in Amethi at around 3.15 pm. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi can also hold a rally in Bolangir, Odisha. Party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh can hold a press conference in Bhubaneswar. Not only this, Congress Party's Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar has told that Kharge can go to Kandhamal in Odisha to campaign on May 16. Today is going to be the day of people of these zodiac signs due to sweetness in relationships, know your horoscope Best astrologer in Delhi online : Acharya Devraj Ji With the help of spouse, something will be your day today, know your horoscope

Relief for 59 drug stores after Orissa HC status quo

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 Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice MS Raman issued the status quo orders on pleas of 26 medicine shop owners on Tuesday after issuing the same interim orders on petitions of 33 medicine shop owners that was passed on May 9. The bench has posted the matter to July 3, the 59 writ appeals for further consideration of the dispute, which centres around the decision not to extend the licences or issue new licences for 24-hour on-campus medicine stores in lieu of implementation of Niramaya Scheme in the health institutions. The state Health and Family Welfare department notified the decision on February 27, 2015. Licence holders of on-campus medicine stores filed petitions challenging the notification in the same year. Of the 146 licence holders, 87 continued to operate deriving benefit from interim stay orders by the high court till the Single Judge bench of Justice SK Panigrahi vacated them on April 19. While refusing to interfere against the government notification, Justice Panigrahi hailed the free medical care policy (Niramaya Scheme) by the state as a monumental step forward in prioritising public health and welfare. By providing essential healthcare services and medications at no cost to citizens, this policy demonstrates a commitment to ensuring access to healthcare for all, regardless of socio-economic status. In the current scenario, although the involved parties are at a disadvantage, their plight is outweighed by the broader objective of welfarism. While the petitioners may face challenges, their situation does not pose a threat to their constitutional rights, Justice Panigrahi had observed.

BJD, BJP workers clash at police station, 10 hurt

CUTTACK: Khuntuni police station in Cuttack district turned into a battle zone following a clash between workers of BJD and BJD of Athagarh Assembly constituency on Tuesday night prompting senior police officials to intervene and resort to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Sources said while over 10 workers from both political parties were injured, five motorcycles were vandalised in the clash that took place at around 10 pm. As per reports, while BJP candidate Abhay Barik and his supporters were campaigning in Anantapur gram panchayat at 12 noon, local sarpanch, a supporter of BJD candidate and Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain and his associates opposed them and attacked a saffron party worker identified as Sudarsan Sahu. Sources said, Sahu had filed an FIR against BJD workers at Khuntuni police station. But, Khuntuni IIC Bhabani Shankar Khuntia allegedly influenced by BJD had instead registered a case against BJP workers. On being informed, Abhay and his hundreds of supporters gheraoed the police station demanding transfer of Khuntia and arrest of BJD-backed Anantapur gram panchayat sarpanch Sashikant Sahu. Following the incident, additional SP Debadatta Baral rushed to the spot and held discussions with the agitating saffron party workers. Sahu also rushed to the police station along with more than 300 of his supporters and started pelting stones at BJP workers. The situation worsened and the police station turned into a battlefield when the BJP workers retaliated and attacked their BJD counterparts by pelting stones and broken bricks while police personnel remained mute spectators to the incident. Later, police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

CM Naveen Patnaik will sign power subsidy bill right after taking oath, says VK Pandian

CUTTACK: The first task Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will accomplish after taking oath for the sixth consecutive term on June 9, will be to sign the file for providing free power to people using up to 100 units, said BJD leader VK Pandian here on Tuesday. On a whirlwind tour to Assembly seats under Cuttack parliamentary constituency, Pandian slammed the BJP and said the party which has assured to charge Rs 50,000 for providing solar energy is showing lanthan (lantern) to people of Odisha. They were shocked to learn of BJDs electricity subsidy scheme, he said. BJDs chief election strategist said leaders of Opposition parties, especially BJP, come to Odisha only during elections and make false promises to woo voters. They will stop various popular welfare schemes like KALIA, Mission Shakti, BSKY and LAccMI launched by Naveen Babu if they are voted to power, said Pandian while urging BJD workers to toil harder to ensure victory of the partys candidates. Addressing a meeting at Tigiria, Pandian said around 43,000 farmers are getting the benefits of KALIA yojana in Athagarh and Tigiria. Pandian said one of the largest textile companies in the world will be set up at the textile park in Choudwar. It will provide jobs to many unemployed youth, he said while addressing a public meeting at Potapokhari in Choudwar-Cuttack Assembly segment. The 5T chairman also participated in a roadshow in Cuttack city and addressed people at six locations - Manisahu Chhak, Buxi Bazaar, Gauri Shankar Park, Chandini Chowk, Kanika Chhak and Baula Chhak. He highlighted the development projects undertaken by the state government like transformation of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Taladanda canal renovation and road expansion, construction of Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminal, urban haat, etc. Along with the respective Assembly candidates, Cuttack MP candidate Santrupt Misra was present in the meetings at Khandapada, Athagarh, Banki, Badamba, Cuttack Sadar, Choudwar-Cuttack and Barabati-Cuttack Assembly segments.

Former Bissam-Cuttack MLA Dambarudhar Ulaka Passes Away At 87

Rayagada: Former minister and senior Congress leader Damburudhar Ulaka passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. He was 87. Ulaka was undergoing treatment at the hospital for a long time due to illness. His son Nilamadhab Ulaka informed that he died at around 11 pm last night. Ulaka was a 5-time [] The post Former Bissam-Cuttack MLA Dambarudhar Ulaka Passes Away At 87 appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

People across country want to make Narendra Modi PM again: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

People across country want to make Narendra Modi PM again: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Uttarakhand CM and BJP leader Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the entire country in unison felt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tirelessly worked for 140 crore people of the country in the past 10 years and they want to make him PM again. He participated in the nomination filing process of the BJP candidate from Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat Dr Subhash Sharma in Punjab on Tuesday. Pushkar Singh Dhami said, I visited many parts of the country during this (Lok Sabha) election in the last 25 days. A different kind of enthusiasm can be seen among people. All over the country, people want to make Modi ji the PM again. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Atak to Cuttack, everyone feels that PM Modi has served the country tirelessly in the past 10 years for 140 crore people of the country. We know that wherever there is a double-engine government in the country, at that place development has been at a rapid pace. He further said that PM Modi has worked for the people considering them to be his family members. In West Bengal's Hoogly in this hot weather, thousands of people including women and youth were out in the streets which was overwhelming. In Telangana's Warangal, Secunderabad and other places people are coming forward and feel that PM Modi has worked for them considering them to be his family members. This election is the time for PM Modi to get the reward for his sacrifice and hard work, he added. Earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed confidence in the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab and said that the state will create history on June 4. Dhami held a roadshow in support of the BJP candidate Dr Subhash Sharma from the Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha seat. Sharma is facing Congress nominee Vijay Inder Singla, AAP's Malvinder Singh Kang and Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) Prem Singh Chandumajra for the seat. In Punjab, voting for its 13 seats will take place in a single phase. The seventh and final phase on June 1 will see voting in Gurudaspur, Amritsar, Khadoor Sahib, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nandpur Sahib, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Firozpur, Bathinda, Sangrur, and Patiala constituencies. In the previous Lok Sabha Elections of 2019, the INC-led UPA alliance secured eight seats with a vote share of 40.6 per cent, while the NDA managed to secure four with a voting percentage of 9.7. The AAP, making its debut, secured one seat. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and AAP bagged 4 seats each while Congress secured 3 seats. The BJP managed to secure only two seats. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)

Shah, Gandhi to Hold Rallies in Odisha Amidst State Visit

Shah, Gandhi to Hold Rallies in Odisha Amidst State Visit Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address election rallies in support of their respective party candidates in Odisha on Wednesday. Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Odisha. Shah will hold a roadshow and two public meetings on Wednesday, while Rahul Gandhi will join a bike rally and address an election rally on Wednesday. Sources in BJP said that Shah after his arrival in Bhubaneswar will address two public meetings at Sorada under the Aska Lok Sabha seat and at Boudh under Kandhamal Parliamentary constituency before coming to Cuttack to attend a roadshow in the evening. Rourkela and Kantabanji, the second seat from where BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is contesting the Assembly polls, have reportedly been omitted from Shah's itinerary, according to BJP sources. Congress candidate from Bolangir assembly segment Samarendra Mishra said Gandhi will join a bike rally and attend address a public meeting at Bolangir on Wednesday.

Home minister Amit Shah to hold roadshow in Cuttack on Wednesday

Bhubaneswar: Union home minister Amit Shah will hold roadshow in Odishas Cuttack city on Wedensday. This will be BJPs second mega roadshow in the state during the ongoing campaigning for Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state. On May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conducted a roadshow in state capital Bhubaneswar ahead of the first phase polls in the state. State BJP unit spokesperson Sajjan Sharma informed that nearly a lakh people will participate in Shahs roadshow. The roadshow, which will begin from Gopabandhu park, will cover several important junctions in Cuttack, including Buxi Bazar, Tinikonia Bagicha, Dargha Bazar, Choudhry Bazar, Naya Sarak, Balu Bazar, Chandni Chouwk and Mohammadia Bazar and culminate at Chandi Mandir chhak. The roadshow is schedule to start at 4 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to visit Odisha again on May 20. This will be PM Modis third visit to the state within a span of two weeks. Modi, who has earlier addressed poll rallies at Berhampur, Nabarangpur, Bargarh, Phulbani and Bolangir is scheduled to hold a massive roadshow in Puri first and later address two public meetings in Cuttack and Angul.

Amit Shah To Address BJP Rallies In Surada & Boudh; Hold Roadshow In Cuttack Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: The itinerary of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Odisha has changed. Shah was scheduled to visit Odisha on May 15 to address election meetings in Rourkela and Kantbanji. As per the revised schedule, Shah will visit Odisha tomorrow but address public meetings in Surada and Boudh. This will be BJPs second mega roadshow [] The post Amit Shah To Address BJP Rallies In Surada & Boudh; Hold Roadshow In Cuttack Tomorrow appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Koraput district records 76.98 per cent voter turnout

JEYPORE: The Koraput Lok Sabha constituency recorded a voter turnout of approximately 76.98 per cent, dispelling speculations of over 80 per cent participation. Polling commenced at 7 am across various polling booths in rural areas of Koraput and Rayagada districts but gradually slowed down, culminating in a final turnout of 61.43 percent by 5 pm. Varied voter turnout was recorded across different assembly constituencies, with Bissamcuttack recording 67.99 per cent, Gunupur 57.44 pc, Rayagada 63.20 pc, Jeypore 66.58 pc, Koraput 55.35 pc, Laxmipur 58.66 pc, and Pottangi 63.20 per cent. The turnout marked a significant decrease from the previous election in 2019 that recorded 75.30 per cent voting. Allegations of dissatisfaction with the current system and inadequate transportation arrangements for rural voters were cited as possible factors contributing to the lower turnout. Despite these challenges, the district administration of Koraput had undertaken extensive efforts to motivate voters, particularly in tribal areas, in the lead-up to the election. Notably, polling in Maoist-prone areas such as Bandhugaon, Laxmipur, Narayanpatana, Pottangi, Nandapur, Lamataput, and Boipariguda went off peacefully. Elaborate security measures were implemented by the police administration, including the deployment of DVF, SOG, and BSF in LWE areas. Borders of Odisha were sealed in Bandhugon, Pottangi, Nandapur, Padwa, Jalaput, and Kotpad to prevent infiltration by outlaws from neighbouring states during the voting process. Koraput SP Abhinav Sonkar confirmed the peaceful conduct of the entire process, including in Maoist-affected areas, with no reports of untoward incidents. The polling has been completed peacefully across Koraput and the polling personnel with EVMs are returning with proper security, he added.

Special Court issues NBW against ex-legislator Anubhav Mohanty

CUTTACK: The court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Cuttack, Deepankar Bal, dealing with cases against MPs and MLAs, on Monday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against MP Anubhav Mohanty in a case of cruelty and insulting modesty of a woman brought by his wife Varsha Priyadarshini in December 2020, prior to their divorce. On December 21, 2023, the Orissa High Court had ruled against the Family Court order and held that Anubhav Mohanty is entitled to get a decree of divorce in his favour. Anubhav is the BJD MP from Kendrapada Lok Sabha constituency who joined BJP on April 1. Assistant public prosecutor (APP) Afroz Ahmed said, The special court issued the NBW and directed the inspector-in-charge of Purighat police station to execute it taking serious note of continued absence of Anubhav Mohanty from hearing for framing of charges in the case. The trial court directed for production of Anubhav before it by the police on May 23, the date fixed for framing of charges against the actor-turned-politician. Initially, Anubhav was summoned by the court to appear before it on May 10. The framing of charges was deferred to May 13 as Anubhav moved a time petition on that day. But when a time-petition was again moved by his counsel on Monday, the trial court issued the NBW, the APP said. Earlier, Anubhav had filed a discharge petition on the ground that he has been falsely implicated and there is no material evidence. However, the special court had rejected it after the prosecution objected to a mini-trial at this stage and submitted that the investigating officer had made out a prima facie case with sufficient evidence and witnesses. Purighat police station had registered the case on a complaint lodged by Varsha alleging that Anubhav and his two aides Sujit Dalei and Khagendra Prasad Sahoo had locked her up in a room in his house at Nandi Sahi in Cuttack on December 19, 2020. After probe, police had filed a chargesheet naming Anubhav Mohanty as prime accused in the case under sections 509 (insulting modesty of woman), 498 A (cruelty), 341 (wrongful restraint), 294 (use of obscene language) and 506 (criminal intimidation) on December 18, 2023. The court of SDJM, Cuttack, then took cognisance of the case on December 20, 2023 and sent it for framing of charges by special court for MPs and MLAs.

Man arrested for murdering brother-in-law in Kendrapara

KENDRAPARA: A 30-year-old man was arrested here on Monday for allegedly stabbing his brother-in-law, Ranjan Kumar Rout to death at Odanga village under Patkura police station. The accused has been identified as Nigamananda Das. The incident took place when Ranjan, an alcoholic, went to his in-laws house to bring back his wife, Mahaswata who had been staying with her parents since last month. She left their place in Santapur village due to Ranjans frequent harassment and cruelty. On Friday evening, when Mahaswata refused to return, Ranjan allegedly attacked her and other family members, prompting Nigamananda to stab him in a fit of rage. Ranjan sustained grievous injuries and was rushed to Patkuras community health centre, later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday night. Nigamananda was apprehended under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and produced in court, which rejected his bail application and remanded him to jail custody, said Patkura IIC Pradeep Pradhan.

Rahul, Kharge to campaign for Congress in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Several senior Congress leaders including former president Rahul Gandhi will visit the state within the next one week to campaign for party candidates in the second phase elections scheduled on May 20. Odisha in-charge Ajoy Kumar said Rahul will address a public gathering and also participate in a bike rally in the western Odisha town of Balangir on May 15. He said Rahul will arrive in Bhubaneswar at around 11 am and directly leave for Balangir where he will address an election meeting. He is also scheduled to participate in a rally in the town. Samarendra Mishra, son of sitting MLA from Balangir, Narasingha Mishra is locked in a triangular fight in the Assembly seat against former MP Kalikesh Singhdeo of BJD and Gopalji Panigrahi of BJP. Samarendra told mediapersons, local party leaders and workers are excited about the visit of Rahul to the constituency. He has a special connection with the people of western Odisha. His visit will boost our confidence and we will win with a big margin, he added. Kumar said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will also campaign for party candidates in Odisha in the second phase polls. Kharge is scheduled to address an election meeting at Phulbani and is also slated to address a press conference in Bhubaneswar on May 16. Besides, former Union minister Jairam Ramesh will visit Odisha on May 14. Rahul had launched the partys campaign in Odisha by addressing a public meeting at Salipur in Cuttack district on April 28. He had cancelled his second election meeting at Rayagada on May 3 as he was busy filing his nomination papers for Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh.

Twin city students excel in Class XI and XII exams

BHUBANESWAR: Students of schools affiliated to CBSE in the twin city excelled in the Class X and XII board examinations, the results of which were announced on Monday. Many of them recorded 100 per cent results. In Class XII Science examination, Sanat Mishra of Lajpat Rai DAV school, Cuttack and Bhubaneswars ODM Public Schools Ronit Kumar Rout scored 99.2 pc each emerging as state toppers in the stream. Overall, both Sanat and Ronit scored 100 out of 100 in three subjects. SAI International school students Sashwat Panigrahi and Adyasha Syam emerged state toppers in Commerce and Humanities streams of Class XII by securing 99.2 per cent and 99 per cent respectively. KiiT International School reported 100 per cent first division in both Class X and XII. Around 45 per cent of Class X and XII students scored above 90 per cent. Aadyashaa Dash of Class X scored 98 per cent to emerge the school topper. In Class XII, Sneha Kumari scored the highest 97 per cent marks in Science, Palak Samantray and Priyanka Das scored 97.4 per cent in Commerce while Basundhara Roy of Humanities secured 97.4 per cent to become school toppers. Students of KiiT who were enrolled under the SEN Global Initiative, which focuses on providing quality education to special children, also did well. All the 11 SEN students passed with first division, with the top scorer achieving 87 per cent. KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta congratul ated the students on their success. Similarly, students of Mothers Public School scored 100 per cent pass percentage. At the school located in Unit-1, Bhubaneswar, 174 students appeared the Class X exam and 100 of them scored above 90 per cent. Khirabdi Samal topped the school with 98.6 per cent. Similarly in Class XII, more than 115 students of the school scored above 90 per cent. Snehasish Mohanty topped the Science stream with 97.6 per cent, Nikhil Sahoo in Commerce stream with 97.2 per cent and in Humanities Shreya Shreerupa Sahoo topped with 95.4 per cent. Students of DAV group of schools in the capital city also excelled. At DAV-Pokhariput, 87.08 per cent students cleared Class X. Of the 194 students who wrote the exam, 104 scored more than 90 per cent. Anwesha Priyadarshini topped with 98.4 per cent. In Class XII, of 258 students, 72 scored above 90 per cent and Priya Kumar Sahu topped the Science stream, while Priyashi Patnaik and Arpit Ayush Kar scored the highest marks in Commerce and Humanities streams respectively. Similarly, Pratik Sarangi of DAV-Kalinga Nagar topped the Class X exam with 99.4 per cent. In Class XII, Krishna Jena scored the highest of 96.2 per cent in Science. At DAV-Unit 8, Amrit Bhal, Payel Panda, Sampreeti Roy and Shivani Rout brought laurels to the school by being the Class X toppers of the school with 493 marks (98.6 per cent). In Class XII Science stream, the highest percentage of 97.6 was scored by Sthiti Samantaray. Close to 92 students of DAV-Chandrasekharpur scored 95 per cent in Class X while Anushka Nayak and Abhilasha Panda topped the school with 99.4 per cent. In Class XII, 106 out of 389 students scored more than 90 per cent. Four students of DPS-Kalinga excelled in Class X exam by scoring between 98.6 and 98.2 per cent while in Class XII, Ayush Ayushman (98.4 per cent), Niyati Agarwal (96.4) and Sheetal Mehk Routray (96.8) emerged the toppers in Science, Commerce and Humanities streams respectively. Students of Jupiter Public School too cleared the examinations with flying colours. While Anshika Patra of Class X scored the highest 96.4 per cent, Mrutyunjay Prusty secured 96 per cent in Class XII. At SAI International residential school, Samaira Angel topped Class X with 98 per cent while in Class XII, Suryanshi Singh achieved the highest 98 per cent in Commerce, Anjeleena Verma in Humanities with 97.6 per cent and Science topper was Khushi Sharma with a score of 95.2 per cent. Similarly, Sushree Suman Das and Pushkar Agarwal of St Xaviers high school secured 98.4 per cent and 96.2 per cent in Class X and XII exams. Shreya Rath of BJEM school scored 99.4 pc in Class X and Asutosh Kar of Class XII topped the Science stream with 99 pc.

Raja Swain has tough road to cross to reach eighth term

CUTTACK: The Athagarh Assembly constituency is set for a fierce battle between BJD candidate and Agriculture minister Ranendra Pratap Swain and BJPs Abhay Barik. Comprising 34 gram panchayats of Athagarh block, 14 of Tigiria, six of Tangi-Choudwar block and Athagarh NAC, the constituency has been with Swain consistently for the last over two decades. He has won seven times and earned a berth in the cabinet more than once. However, retaining the seat seems to be an uphill task for the veteran BJD leader this time. Apart from fighting anti-incumbency, Swain has been facing criticism over his failure in ensuring cold storages for farmers of Athagarh, majority of whom cultivate vegetables for their livelihood. Besides, the loan scam at Cuttack District Central Cooperative Bank that had rocked the state with some farmers attempting to immolate themselves in front of Odisha Assembly while Swain was Cooperation minister, remains a cause of worry for the BJD candidate. Local farmers had also staged a dharna and demonstrated in front of the bank alleging someone had availed loans from the cooperative bank fraudulently and they were forced to repay them. They had alleged the ministers brother had a role in the scam. On the other hand, Barik has been uniting Swains dissidents. He had unsuccessfully fought the 2019 elections as an Independent candidate. He had got 10,300 votes while BJPs Brajendra Kumar Ray had secured 40,000. Swain had won the election by bagging 98,000 votes. Barik had joined BJP a year back and was given a ticket by the party. Both Swain and Barik have already intensified campaigning with focus on rural areas of the constituency. While Swain is trying his best to win the election for eighth time by propagating state governments different development programmes and welfare schemes, Barik is banking on Modi guarantee and the misrule of the state government. On the other hand, Congress Sudarsan Sahu who is contesting the election after Mehbub Ahmed Khan returned the party ticket is banking on the traditional votes of the grand old party. Amid the efforts by the candidates, political experts believe Swain, a battle-hardened politician has a hard fight this time.

Court Issues NBW Against Kendrapara MP Anubhav Mohanty

Bhubaneswar: Trouble seems to be mounting for Kendrapara Lok Sabha member Anubhav Mohanty as Cuttack JMFC (MP, MLA) Court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him in a case. The Courts direction came in connection with the allegations levelled by actress Varsha Priyadarshini at Purighat Police station in the city on December 19, 2020. In her complaint, Varsha had alleged that three persons, including her then husband Anubhav Mohanty and his staff Khagendra Sahoo and Sujit Dalai, were entering her room and were recording her pictures, videos and making objectionable remarks. Based on the complaint filed by Varsha at Purighat Police station in Cuttack, a case under section 498 (A), 354, 509, 109 and 34 was registered and the Court had accepted the case. Subsequently, Anubhav Mohanty had then filed a discharge petition stating that the allegations were fake. After hearing, the Court ruled that the matter would continue and time was fixed to frame charges against Anubhav and his two associates on May 10. Anubhav did not appear and sought time for appearance owing to elections. The matter was to be heard today and as Anubhav did not appear and filed a petition through his advocate, the Court ordered Purighat IIC to produce Anubhav and execute the warrant by May 23, 2024. As per legal experts, Anubhav Mohanty has two options now to challenge the order in upper court or accept the NBW, appear before court and file a petition to cancel the NBW by deposing before court in the next hearing.

Court Issues Arrest Warrant Against Odisha MP In Domestic Violence Case

A court in Odisha's Cuttack district on Monday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against actor-turned-Lok Sabha MP Anubhav Mohanty in connection with a four-year-old domestic violence case registered against him by his now-divorced wife.

Court issues non-bailable warrant against Anubhav Mohanty

Cuttack: A court in Odishas Cuttack district Monday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against actor-turned-Lok Sabha MP Anubhav Mohanty in connection with a four-year-old domestic violence case registered against him by his now-divorced wife. The judicial magistrates court issued the warrant after Mohanty failed to appear before it for the second time and asked the []

NGT rejects affidavit of Odisha government on Satkosia tourism

CUTTACK: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has expressed dissatisfaction over the state governments counter affidavit to a petition alleging harmful tourism activities inside Satkosia Tiger Reserve and Satkosia gorge of Mahanadi river under the garb of eco-tourism. The NGTs East Zone bench in Kolkata observed that the counter affidavit was silent with regard to the structures that have been constructed in the ecologically-sensitive area. The petition was filed by Wildlife Society of Orissa. The state authorities, are, therefore, directed to file fresh affidavit within four weeks addressing location of construction, activities under eco-tourism, carrying capacity, number of visitors as well as sustainability of ecosystem, the bench of B Amit Sthalekar (Judicial Member) and Arun Kumar Verma (Expert Member) said on Friday and fixed July 22 as the next date for further consideration of the matter. According to the petition, more than 16 cottage tents - seven of them having AC facility with attendant dining huts - have been set up during tourist season for eight months from October to May as part of the Badmul Sand Resort in Satkosia. In the resort, bonfires are lit at night and sand sports are organised along with folk music and dance which are extremely disturbing to the wildlife. Construction of tents and sheds for tourists in the ecologically sensitive area will bring irreparable damage to the local environment, biodiversity, the petition stated. Advocates Sankar Prasad Pani and Ashutosh Padhy appeared on the petitioners behalf. Ealier on May 10, the bench had directed the government to file its counter affidavit, particularly with reference to the Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary and the issues involved in the case. Satkosia gorge having a length of almost 14 mile that runs through the Tiger Reserve is one of the largest river gorges of the state. The area was declared as a Ramsar Site in 2021.

Cuttack grapples with severe waterlogging after heavy rain

CUTTACK: Residents of low-lying areas of Cuttack are having a tough time after heavy rains that lashed the city late on Saturday night left the localities severely waterlogged. They alleged lack of preparedness on part of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) and Watcos drainage division which is currently carrying out the Box Drain Project, for the issue. The situation turned grim in Patapola, Sutahat Tanti Sahi, New Colony, Upar Sahi, Tala Sahi, Makaraba Sahi, Meria Bazar, Barapathar, Kesharpur, Gamadiha, Saant Sahi, Odia Bazar, Dewan Bazar and Roxy Lane where rain and drain water had gushed into the houses of the residents. Meanwhile, communication was disrupted along the 2.8 km box drain stretch from Buxi Bazar to Professor Pada due to rain water stagnation. Sanjay Pani of Sutahat New Colony said locals of their area had to wade through waterlogged roads to bring breakfast and lunch from restaurants as it was impossible for them to cook. The CMC has not taken any step as yet to address the issue, he rued. CMC mayor Subhas Singh said the city received 113 mm rain in just a couple of hours. The civic body is monitoring the situation, he said. Meanwhile, Watco general manager (drainage) Achyuta Bijayananda Behera said 11 high-powered dewatering pump sets have been installed at Professor Pada where the main storm water channel has been blocked to facilitate construction of open drain from Chhatra Bazar to Matru Bhawan. The waterlogging is expected to be cleared by evening, he said. Till last reports came in, though the stormwater had receded in many households, the connecting roads and streets were still waterlogged.

Free power, youth employment: Voters give thumbs up to BJD manifesto

BHUBANESWAR: The BJD manifesto which outlines a comprehensive development plan across various sectors has been largely met with optimism and a little skepticism by the people of the state. The promise of 100 units free electricity, 2 lakh government jobs in five years and a youth budget of Rs1 lakh crore for 10 years seem to be the biggest draw for voters, particularly the youth. The BJD has assured the voters to provide free electricity for households using up to 100 units and 50 per cent for those using 100 to 150 units. Cuttack-based Dipak Samatarai, a former employee of AIR and DD, lauded the promise of free electricity as a vital step towards uplifting farmers. Samantrai emphasised its far-reaching impact on rural households, saying the provision of 100 free units could significantly alleviate financial burdens of the vast section of people. A farmer of Nachipura village in Cuttack district, Pankaj Lochan Sahoo agrees. He believes this holds great promise in uplifting rural communities, with an estimated 80 to 90 per cent of households poised to benefit. With the regional party facing the Opposition BJP attack on Odia Asmita, there is a larger focus on promotion and preservation of Odia culture, language and heritage in the manifesto. Be it a Rs 1,000-crore heritage development fund to preserve places relevant to Odishas heritage and culture or Rs 100-crore for development and promotion of Odia as a classical language and even a centre of excellence at Sambalpur University with a corpus fund of Rs 25 crore for research on Western Odisha languages, the BJD has promised it all. Member secretary of Institute of Odia Studies and Research Subrat Prusty said these promises point at a renewed commitment of the BJD to promotion and preservation of Odia language, culture and heritage. He, however, emphasised the necessity of experts well-versed in Odia culture to lead institutions and oversee the allocation of funds for language preservation. Prusty called for consistent efforts of the government towards language and literature of the state. Naveens guarantees are commitments, says BJD A large part of the manifesto focuses on youth empowerment. Under the youth budget of Rs 1 lakh crore, the party would create schemes based on suggestions from youth of the state. City-based youth Soumya Ranjan Nayak said the Nabin Odisha Youth budget can have great impact on youth empowerment as it focuses on various youth initiatives aimed at skill development, entrepreneurship, education, and employment. Another college student Pratik Lugun said the partys promise to incentivise entrepreneurship among tribal youth can be a game-changer for tapping youth potential. Lugun also said the introduction of a dedicated budget for youth initiatives would create opportunities for innovation and meaningful contributions to society by the youth. The youths, however, raised concerns about the exclusion of other caste groups from similar benefits, urging for broader inclusivity in government initiatives. The manifesto also promises better care for the elderly. A retired professor, Ajodhya Prasad Nayak highlighted the manifestos promises, including a state-of-the-art resource centre for the elderly, collaborations with the private sector to establish active ageing centres, and the introduction of home nurses to provide personalised care, enhancing seniors quality of life. He emphasised the need for proper planning and execution to ensure that these initiatives effectively address the needs of the elderly population.

30 per cent candidates in phase-II LS polls in Odisha have criminal cases: ADR

BHUBANESWAR: At least 30 per cent (pc) candidates from five Lok Sabha constituencies contesting the elections in the second phase polls to be held on May 20 in Odisha have disclosed criminal cases pending against them and 33 pc candidates are crorepatis. The number of candidates with declared criminal cases has gone up by 10 pc as compared to 2019 elections. Of the 40 candidates including six women in fray, 12 have declared criminal cases against them. While eight candidates have declared serious criminal cases, one has declared cases related to murder and four each have attempt-to-murder and cases related to crime against women pending against them. An analysis of candidates data released by Odisha Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Sunday revealed, the highest 80 pc BJP candidates are with declared criminal cases while 20 pc candidates each are from BJD and Congress. Four out of five LS candidates of BJP and one each from BJD and Congress have criminal cases pending against them besides two Independent candidates and one each from National Apni Party (NAP), National Jan Dal (NJD), Sanatan Sanskriti Raksha Dal and Naba Bharata Nirmana Seva Party (NBNSP). Last time, seven out of 35 candidates including one of BJP and two of Congress had declared criminal cases while none of BJD had such cases. Five candidates had declared serious criminal cases against them. Santosh Dora of NBNSP, who is contesting from Sundargarh LS seat, has a murder case pending against him. Janardan Dehury of Congress from Sundargarh, Pradeep Purohit of BJP from Bargarh, Subash Mohapatra of Congress from Cuttack and Balram Singh Yadav, an Independent from Balangir have declared attempt-to-murder cases. The ADR report said 13 candidates have assets worth more than Rs 1 crore. Four contenders each from BJP, BJD and Congress are crorepatis besides one Independent candidate. The average assets per candidate contesting in this phase is Rs 3.05 crore. The average assets of BJP candidates is Rs 16.27 crore and that of BJD and Congress are Rs 4.58 crore and Rs 2.17 crore, respectively. BJPs Balangir candidate Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo is the richest with total assets worth over Rs 67.3 crore followed by BJDs Sundargarh candidate Dilip Kumar Tirkey, who has declared owning assets of Rs 12.26 crore. BJPs Sundargarh nominee and former Union minister Jual Oram has assets worth over Rs 8.63 crore. NAP candidate Devika Sika from Bargarh is the poorest with assets of only Rs 10,222. Tirkey has the highest liabilities of Rs 1.58 crore, followed by Oram (Rs 1.03 crore) and BJDs Surendra Singh Bhoi from Balangir (Rs 1.02 crore). While 19 (47.5 pc) candidates have declared their educational qualification to be between Class V and XII, 21 (52.5 pc) candidates have declared they are graduates and seven are post graduates. Ten candidates are aged between 25 to 40 years and 23 candidates are in the age group of 41 to 60 years. There are seven candidates whose age is between 61 and 70 years, the report stated.

BJP lines up Modi, top guns for phase-2 polls in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Firmly setting his focus on Odisha with a determination to wrest power from the ruling BJD and improve BJPs Lok Sabha tally in the Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not leaving anything to chance. The prime minister who has made two rounds of visit to the state before the first phase elections in the state for four parliamentary constituencies and 28 Assembly segments to be held on Monday is all set to undertake the third leg of his campaign on May 20. He will hold a roadshow in Puri and address election rallies in Cuttack and Angul the same day, state BJP vice-president Golak Mohapatra told mediapersons here. Modi stirred up the hornets nest at his Berhampur meeting on May 6 by inviting people of the state to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the first BJP government in Bhubaneswar on June 10. He also gave June 6 as the date for selection of the chief minister of his party. The Puri roadshow was long planned but a date could not be finalised because of his pressing campaign engagements in other states. Mohapatra said, there is a perceptible advantage for BJP in the Puri parliamentary constituency. The PMs roadshow will further consolidate the position of Sambit Patra, who is contesting from the Lok Sabha seat for the second time. He lost the seat to BJD candidate Pinaki Mishra with a narrow margin. Lotus will bloom in Odisha this time says Modi The prime minister held his first roadshow in Bhubaneswar on May 10 for party candidate Aparajita Sarangi which turned out to be a roaring success. The BJP has also lined up three other top guns of the party for the next two phases of polls on May 20 and 25. Apart from the PM, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit on May 15. He will address public meetings in Rourkela, Kantabanji and Sorada. Similarly, BJP national president JP Nadda will visit the state on May 17. He will address election rallies at Sundargarh, Hinjili and Padampur, Mohapatra said.

Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi to Address Third Poll Rally in Odisha on May 15

Bhubaneswar : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will launch his second round of campaigning in Odisha on May 15. He will address a poll rally in Bolangir in Odisha. According to the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), Rahul will hold his public meeting in Bolangir town where partys Lok Sabha and MLAs candidates will also remain present. The public meeting will be preceded by a roadshow. We are quite excited about Rahul Gandhis visit. He has special connections with the people of Western Odisha. His visit and poll rally will boost our confidence and we will win by big margins, Samarendra Mishra, the Congress candidate for Bolangir assembly seat, said. On May 3, Rahul had addressed his Rayagada election rally in Odisha on virtual mode as he was preoccupied with filing of his nomination papers for Raebareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. Highlighting five guarantees of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Gandhi had then said that his party would waive off loans of farmers and hike the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy if his party came to power. He also guaranteed that graduates and diploma engineers would be given top priority for jobs, apart from assuring caste census of people of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and backward classes. Besides, he assured a 50 per cent reservation of women in different job sectors. After the UPA government comes to power at the Centre, the Congress will ensure Rs 400 as daily wage for the beneficiaries of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Besides, women will be given a monthly allowance of Rs 8,500, he said. He had also addressed a public meeting at Salipur in Cuttack district on April 28 where he hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party and BJD saying both the parties had a strong relationship like that of a married couple. Gandhi called upon the Odisha voters to study the real face of the BJP and BJD and shun them in the forthcoming simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections. He had then also accused both the BJP and BJP of looting Odisha's natural resources, including minerals like iron ore, bauxite, manganese and chromite.

PM Narendra Modi, BJPs Amit Shah, & JP Nadda to visit Odisha again on these dates

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha on May 20. This is the third of the PM to the state in the month of May. As per information given by Odisha BJP VP Golak Mohapatra, PM Modi will hold roadshow in Puri and address public gatherings in Cuttack and Angul on [] The post PM Narendra Modi, BJPs Amit Shah, & JP Nadda to visit Odisha again on these dates appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Police IICs to be made accountable for drain encroachment: Orissa HC

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has directed deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Cuttack instruct the inspectors-in-charge (IICs) of all police stations in the city to be vigilant and ensure drain spaces remain free of encroachment after all unauthorised occupation is cleared. The special bench constituted by Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh recently for adjudicating on PILs concerning civic problems in Cuttack issued the direction on Thursday while hearing on difficulties in desiltation of connecting drains from different areas of the city to the main storm water channel/box drain. Advocate Debashis Nayak representing Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) submitted that the main problem is that once the encroachments are removed from the drain areas, within a very short time, they are encroached again which is creating problems for effective desilting. Taking note of it the two-judge bench of Justice SK Sahoo and Justice V Narasingh warned that the IICs of police stations concerned will be held accountable if the space on and around the box drain or open drain or surface drain is re-encroached after being cleared by the CMC. The IIC concerned shall be vigilant and ensure that there is no further encroachment so that effective desilting can be made, the bench said adding, The DCP, Cuttack shall circulate this order to all the inspectors in-charge of different police stations of Cuttack town for compliance. The bench fixed May 16 for further consideration of the matter. The CMC had on Thursday filed an affidavit stating 40 of the 52 branch storm water channel/major surface drains have correct gradient and are discharging storm water properly to the main storm water channel (either box drain or open drain). For the rest of the drains, a survey is being undertaken to assess the correct gradient so that remedial measures can be undertaken, if it is found to be inappropriate. The CMC is also taking necessary steps for proper desilting of the drains for free flow of storm water to the branch storm water channel/ major surface drains, the affidavit stated.

Twin Cities Receive Severe Rainfall, Yellow Warning For 4 Odisha Districts

Bhubaneswar: Twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar experienced severe rainfall accompanied with lightning and gusty winds late Saturday night. Bhubaneswar received 76.8 mm rainfall last night and it is the highest amount of rainfall in the Capital City in the current year. While Paradip experienced 51.4 mm rainfall, Puri witnessed 37.8 mm rainfall. Similarly, [] The post Twin Cities Receive Severe Rainfall, Yellow Warning For 4 Odisha Districts appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Orissa High Court hauls up CMC over insufficient measures to control mosquito menace

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Thursday pulled up the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) over its failure to curb the mosquito menace in the city, saying the civic body refuses to wake up from deep and blissful slumber on the pressing issue. The special bench constituted by Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh recently for adjudicating on PILs concerning civic problems was hearing on mosquito menace. The division bench of Justice SK Sahoo and Justice V Narasingh said, Mosquito menace is a persistent all-season civic problem of Cuttack city and it is responsible for serious diseases like malaria, dengue etc. A sensitive civil administration should have an effective eradication programme in place year-round and if the Corporation refuses to wake up from its deep and blissful slumber, it would cause health hazards. The advocates committee formed to assist the court had expressed concern over growing mosquito menace in the city and stated that the measures taken by the CMC are insufficient to check the problem and some urgent effective measures are to be taken in this respect. The drains are choked which has resulted in the rise in mosquito population. The Corporation has failed to carry out proper bush cutting operation which is contributing in a large measure for the breeding of mosquitoes, the committee informed. The bench ordered that there should be effective monitoring of the exercise undertaken by the CMC for eradication of mosquito menace. It directed that the supervisors of each ward shall upload the data relating to sprinkling of mosquito larvicide oil and temephos larvicide in their respective wards in the central database on daily basis. Mosquito density of each area has to be measured after such sprinkling on a weekly basis, it ordered. Necessary instruction in this regard shall be imparted by the commissioner, Cuttack Municipal Corporation, the bench added in the May 9 order. The court had earlier on May 2 asked the CMC to file an affidavit indicating in which areas, steps have been taken for sprinkling mosquito larvicide oil in stagnant water in drains and temephos larvicide on the campus and latrine area of each household. The affidavit should have documents showing the signatures of the respective households being covered. Accordingly, the CMC commissioner had filed an affidavit on Thursday stating that such steps have been started in ward no 5 and ward no 41. The CMC has 59 wards.

Will quit politics if Naveen Patnaik doesnt become CM: VK Pandian

BHUBANESWAR: As the BJD-BJP fight in the ensuing elections has turned into an intense face-off between senior ruling party leader VK Pandian and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the bureaucrat-turned-politician on Friday announced he would quit politics if Naveen Patnaik failed to take oath as the chief minister on June 9 and challenged the latter to do so if the saffron party is defeated again. Addressing an election meeting at Brajarajnagar, the BJD leader came down heavily on Pradhan for making big claims about BJP coming to power in this election and making him the target of attacks. You are a very tall leader. I am a chamcha and gumasta. When I can announce that I will take sanyas from politics if the chief minister fails to take oath again, why cant you do so. If you have the courage, announce it, Pandian said. Referring to the BJPs claims that a wave for change is evident in this election, he said that the leaders of the Opposition political parties are resorting to falsehood which will be rejected by the people. The BJD will win the Assembly elections by three-fourth majority and Naveen Patnaik will be sworn in as the next chief minister of the state for the sixth consecutive time on June 9 as per the schedule announced by the party, he asserted. Pandian also accused Pradhan of using bad language against the chief minister. Taking potshots at him, he said, the Union minister has no electoral victory to show for. The minister tried to contest from Dhenkanal and moved around the constituency for 10 years. He visited the constituency more than 400 times. But, as he did nothing for the constituency, he got the signal and decided not to contest from there. Now, he has moved over to a new place Sambalpur, Pandian said. The BJD leader questioned Pradhans contribution to Sambalpur. The Union minister could not even complete the work of the national highway between Cuttack and Sambalpur. But, the chief minister has resolved the problem of displaced persons of Hirakud which was continuing for decades, he said.

Odisha: NGT imposes ban on extraction of morrum, earth for rail track project

CUTTACK: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed restriction on further extraction of earth/morrum by the contractor engaged for construction of earth bed for the third line railway track from Bhadrak to Nirgundi. NGTs East Zone bench in Kolkata issued the interim order on Tuesday after taking note of the affidavits filed by the East Coast Railways (ECoR) and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Odisha. The affidavits were filed in response to the application filed by Srikanta Kumar Pakal and other residents of the area alleging illegal extraction of the minor minerals by the private contractor while carrying out the rail project work. Advocate Sankar Prasad Pani appeared on behalf of the petitioners in virtual mode. The bench of B Amit Sthalekar (Judicial Member) and Dr Satyagopal Korlapati (Expert Member) said, In this view of the matter, we restrain the private contractor from carrying out any further excavation of earth, morrum during the pendency of the present application. The tribunal order said ECoR had categorically stated in their affidavit that they had entered into a contract with the private contractor for earth work and minor bridges in the flyover portion between Byree-Kapilas Road in Bhadrak-Nergundi third line project. The SEIAAs affidavit categorically stated that no Environmental Clearance (EC) has been issued in favour of the private contractor for extraction of earth/morrum from various places of Tangi-Choudwar tehsil of Cuttack district or any other district for construction of the said railway track, the order said. The bench allowed the private construction company counsel advocate Prabhu Prasanna Beheras plea to file counter affidavit within one week and fixed July 11 for further consideration of the matter. Earlier, the tribunal had constituted a committee to ascertain the veracity of the allegations made in the petition. The committee had confirmed illegal extraction of the minor minerals and recommended recovery of penalty of Rs 42.45 crore and environmental compensation of Rs 1.20 crore for illegal extraction of morrum and laterite from the private construction company. The committee included mining officer (Cuttack circle), regional officer (OSPCB), assistant conservator of forests (Cuttack division) and additional district magistrate, Cuttack.

Civic development top on poll promises for Barabati-Cuttack

CUTTACK: It is election time and the candidates promise the moon to the voters. In Barabati-Cuttack Assembly constituency, which encompasses a significant part of the millennium city, the trend is no different. From taking steps to end the perennial civic issues to the development of infrastructure and facilities, the candidates of the three major political parties BJD, BJP and Congress are holding back nothing in their promises to the citizens. Barabati-Cuttacks BJD candidate Prakash Behera has promised to carry out ambitious plans like a barrage on Kathajodi river if elected. The barrage will be constructed on the river near Purighat. It will conserve water and solve the drinking water problems of the city in the long run, he said. Behera said that the city has seen massive transformation under the Naveen Patnaik government will all-round beautification, and development of civic amenities and infrastructure. I am determined to take the development to the next level and make Cuttack city a no 1 city, said Behera while addressing workers meeting at different places in the city. With Cuttack being the legal hub of the state, Behera has also promised to set up an advocate academy, once Naveen Patnaik government comes to power for the record sixth term. Not to be left behind, Sofia Firdous, the Congress candidate and daughter of sitting MLA Mohammed Moquim, said the party would come up with a detailed manifesto for the city soon. She, however, said that all her efforts would be towards fulfilling her fathers half-executed developmental works in the city. My father had initiated many steps and put pressure on the state government for implementation of different developmental works including renovation of Petanala, construction of box drain to facilitate communication on main stormwater channel (MSWC)-1, construction of drains in Bidanasi and six-lane ring road. It will be my priority to ensure completion of the projects which are lying half-executed. Besides, my focus will also be on taking steps for transforming the environment of the millennium city to make it a green city, Sofia said. Similarly, BJP candidate Dr Purna Chandra Mohapatra has promised all-round development of Cuttack city. The millennium city has remained under-developed in comparison to other cities of the state. The residents belonging to different classes are yet to get the benefits of the developmental works due to massive corruption and embezzlement of funds. They are deprived of the benefit of several developmental and welfare schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Mohapatra in the workers meeting while assuring of successful implementation of Modi ki Guarantee for Viksit Bharat in the city.

Odisha village worships the hands that feed us all

CUTTACK (MANIJODI): While people buy precious metals on Akshaya Tritiya, residents of Manijodi village in Cuttack district worship annadata or the farmer. The temple has a life-size statue of a traditional farmer made of concrete. The statue has a hat on its head with the left hand holding a plough and the right a stick for herding cattle. The tradition of worshipping the farmer is around two decades old. On Akshaya Tritiya, the temple is decorated with flowers. Apart from garlanding the statue with flowers and worshipping it, a Nama Sankirtan (Astaprahari) is organised throughout the day. The holy Akhi Muthi (paddy filled in a gaunai, a container made of cane) is then taken out in a procession where traditional musical instruments like Jhanja, Mrudanga and cymbals are played with the participants, mostly farmers chanting Jay Kisan. After the procession moves around the village and nearby localities, the farmers take their respective Akhi Muthis and start cultivation by sowing it in their land. Odisha is a agriculture-based economy. Farmers grow food grains by toiling hard but do not get respect or adequate remuneration. The majority of our villagers are farmers and we revere them as much as God, said Pratap Sahu, a social activist who had established and consecrated the farmers temple in 2005.

Varsha-Anubhav Marital Discord: Anubhav Mohanty Fails To Appear Before Court

Cuttack: Ollywood actor turned politician Anubhav Mohanty failed to appear before the court today. The court had asked Anubhav Mohanty and his two accomplices Sujit Dallei and Khagendra Prasad Sahu to appear before it in allegation of mental, physical, torture, threats and other charges filed by Varsha Priyadarshini. According to sources, Anubhav cited [] The post Varsha-Anubhav Marital Discord: Anubhav Mohanty Fails To Appear Before Court appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

BJD-BJP workers face-off at Cuttack during nomination filing

CUTTACK: Tension ran high in front of the office of Cuttack collector following a scuffle between BJD and BJP workers during filing of nomination papers by their candidates for Salipur Assembly constituency on Thursday. As per reports, after offering prayer at Cuttack Chandi temple, BJP candidate Arindam Roy took out a rally from Judicial Academy to the collectorate. He went inside along with seven to eight frontline workers for filing nomination before returning officer-cum-ADM Umakanta Raj at about 10.30 am, while the other workers and supporters remained outside the office. Meanwhile, BJD candidate Prasanta Behera arrived in a gigantic workers rally at around 11 am. While Behera went inside, his supporters had gathered in front of the collectorate. As Roy was filing his nomination at the time, Behera and his workers had to wait on the corridor of room no-14 till Roy came out. However, tension erupted while workers and supporters of both BJD and BJP started shouting slogans resulting in a face-off which then led to verbal brawl and scuffle prompting police to interfere and bring the situation under control by dispersing the workers of both the parties from the spot.

BJD promises free power to consumers up to 100 units

BHUBANESWAR: In a move to woo voters ahead of the elections, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday promised free power for consumers using up to 100 units of electricity and 50 per cent subsidy for those consuming between 100 to 150 units. Announcing the Peoples Manifesto of the BJD here, the chief minister said that around 75 per cent of families of the state consume less than 100 units of electricity and another 10 to 15 per cent use 100 to 150 units. The decision will ensure energy security of 85 to 90 per cent of the families in the state, he said, adding this will encourage responsible use of electricity among the people. The manifesto has sops covering all sections of people including women, youth, SC, ST and OBC. Stating that Odisha will be converted to number one state of the country by 2034, two years before the centenary of its creation as a separate state, the chief minister said youths have a major role to play in writing the new growth story of Odisha. Naveen announced a separate budget of Rs 1 lakh crore for the youth in next 10 years. He said Rs 1,000 crore will be spent from this budget as per the advice of the youths. Such an initiative will be a first-of-its-kind through which youths can create their own identity, he said. Annual scholarships for girls and boys under the Nua-O scholarship will also be increased to Rs 14,000 and Rs 12,000 respectively. Keeping in view the fact that the growing unemployment among the youths has emerged as one major source of worry, the chief minister announced creation of two lakh jobs during the next five years. Besides, loan for self-employment will also be increased from the existing Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. The manifesto also announced several sops for women, who form a significant support base of the party. The manifesto promised interest-free loan of Rs 15 lakh for women. The SHGs will have financial linkage of Rs 1.5 lakh crore by which they will be returned interest of Rs 2,500 crore. The SHGs will be provided government business of Rs 20,000 crore in the next 10 years. Mission Shakti women will also be provided pension, he added. Besides, to placate the middle class people, the manifesto announced their coverage in BSKY scheme, interest-subvention on house loans up to Rs 20 lakh and scholarships for students. He said that government employees and contract workers will also be covered under the BSKY. The manifesto announced a corpus fund of Rs 1,000 crore to provide assistance of Rs 1 lakh each for 10,000 ST, SC and OBC youths during the next 10 years to create self-employment opportunities. Besides, loans up to Rs 10 lakh will be made interest-free for SC, ST and OBC youths for encouraging entrepreneurship. Besides, a corpus of Rs 1,000 crore was announced for protection of heritage places. A corpus of Rs 100 crore will also be created for development of Odia as a classical language. The chief minister announced that government will encourage urbanisation so that population in urban centres will be doubled during the next 10 years. Four mega-clusters covering Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Khurda-Puri, Sambalpur-Jharsuguda-Rourkela , Baripada-Balasore-Bhadrak and Berhampur-Chhatrapur-Gopalpur will ensure all-round development. Besides, 20 towns will also be developed further. Poll sops Free power for consumers using 100 units 50 pc subsidy for consumers using 100-150 units 2 lakh new jobs in 5 years Rs 15 lakh loan to women without interest Rs 20,000 cr business to women SHGs in 5 years Pension for Mission Shakti members Rs 1,000 cr corpus for development, protection of heritage places Rs 100 cr for development of Odia as classical language Rs 1 lakh each for 10,000 SC, ST and OBC youths for entrepreneurship

First-timer challenges Cuttack veteran

Bhubaneswar: The first phase of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state is going to be held May 13. The Cuttack Lok Sabha seat, one of the 21 parliamentary constituencies in the state, will go for voting in the third phase, May 25. This Lok Sabha seat holds a special significance as the []

Centre Had Decided to Build an Airport in Odishas Paradip, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Bhubaneswar : Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the Centre has taken the decision to build an airport at Odishas Paradip at a cost of Rs 200 crore. He also informed that the Union government has also decided to improve physical infrastructure development of the state in a massive way. Gadkari was here to campaign for BJPs Puri Lok Sabha candidate Dr Sambit Patra and partys Brahmagiri assembly seat nominee Upasana Mohapatra. In an attempt to strike an emotional chord with the people, Gadkari started his address in Odia and said he visited Puri Srimandir and sought blessings of Lord Jagannath for the betterment of the country and making India the third largest economy in the world. Referring to the perennial communication problem of Krushnaprasad area under Brahmagiri asse, he said he would do something for them and they should also do something for him by casting their votes for party candidates, Sambit Patra and Upasana Mohapatra. I declare that we are constructing a road from Tangi to Digha. Due to Chilika Lake and the wetland, there is a missing link between Gopalpur and Satapada. Due to this missing link, people are still using boats. Between National Highway 516 A and National Highway 316 A, a road will be constructed. An order has been given to prepare its DPR, he said. The DPR for the 171-km-long six-lane road from Ratanpur to Digha to be constructed at the cost of Rs 8000 crore has been prepared and it will be built after the elections. Similarly, the DPR of 177-km-long four-lane road from Rameswar, Puri, Konark and Pardip to Ratanpur at a cost of Rs 8500 crore has also been prepared. This will improve the connectivity between Paradip and Dhamra port. The construction will start in October. Another DPR for a 65-km-long four-lane road from Jamjhari to Dhamra port to be built at the cost of Rs 2000 crore has also been prepared. Its tender will be floated after the elections. The DPR for the four-lane 87-km-long road from Cuttack-Paradip Port at the cost of Rs 2370 crore has been completed. Its construction will also start after the elections, said the Minister. I am spending Rs 3 lakh crore for the development of roads in Odisha. I believe this will help the development of Odisha. I have done a lot for Paradip port. This has provided employment to youths. I also permitted the rail project worth Rs 3100 crore rail project from Paradip to Kalinganagar. We have also decided to build an airport at a cost of Rs 200 crore, he said.

Demand for FOB as truck mows down 2 at Palasuni

Bhubaneswar: The demand for a foot over bridge (FOB) rose again as two persons including a woman were killed by a speeding truck at Palasuni Square Wednesday. As per reports, the accident took place when a truck hurtling towards Cuttack mowed down the two as they were crossing the road. While the body of the []

Be aware of cardiac issues, Thalassemia patients told

BHUBANESWAR: As cardiac complications are the most common cause of death in thalassemia, health experts on Wednesday said it is vital for patients to prevent such complications from developing, and for those who already have cardiac issues to get treated to reverse them or prevent them from getting worse. Speaking at an event organised by the Clinical Haematology department of SCB medical college and hospital at Cuttack to mark World Thalassemia Day, vice principal Prof Satyanarayan Routray said thalassemia can contribute to serious cardiac issues. Regular testing, treatment and lifestyle changes can play a big role in preventing cardiac issues. Patients must be aware about the symptoms, complications and consequences, he said and ensured all the necessary healthcare facilities at the Day Care Centre, which is being developed into a one point of care for all blood disorders. Medical superintendent of SCB Prof Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra emphasised the importance of early detection and intervention in managing thalassemia effectively, underscoring the role of such initiatives in raising awareness and promoting a culture of proactive healthcare. Head of the Clinical Haematology department Prof RK Jena said one point holistic healthcare services will be available very soon at the Day Care Centre, which will have the facility for laboratory services. Prenatal diagnosis for detection of beta thalassemia of foetus during pregnancy is already available. This will ensure the delivery of healthy children by thalassemia couples, he said. The department is all set to conduct a bone marrow transplantation on a beta thalassemia patient as a suitable donor is already ready. This will open up a revolutionary curative option in Odisha. The event, meticulously crafted and executed by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals, provided comprehensive care and support to thalassemia patients, offering a ray of hope in their battle against the disease. The patients were empowered to lead fulfilling lives by a multi-faceted approach encompassing regular screenings, access to specialised treatment and educational sessions. Head of Endocrinology department Prof Sudhir Ranjan Pattanaik, associate professor of haematology Dr Sudha Sethy and assistant professor Dr Manamohan Biswal also spoke.

Dissident worry for BJD, BJP in Cuttack

CUTTACK: Dissidents of BJD and BJP have become a headache for the parties in Salipur and Mahanga Assembly segments. Addressing mediapersons on Tuesday, dissident BJD leader Bisheswar Swain announced he would contest as an Independent candidate from Salipur where the party has fielded sitting MLA Prasant Behera. Discontentment is brewing among voters against the local MLA. While problems of farmers remain unsolved in different localities of Salipur block, several localities in Tangi too are lying neglected. No steps have yet been taken for according sub-division status to Salipur, improving education, healthcare, communication and solving the unemployment problem in the Assembly segment, said Swain adding he would file his nomination on May 14. Similarly, Sarada Pradhan, an aspirant for BJP ticket has announced to contest as an Independent candidate from Mahanga Assembly segment where the saffron party has fielded a new face Sumanta Ghadei.

Odisha: Mohanty flays BJD govt over urban mess

BHUBANESWAR: Senior BJP leader Samir Mohanty on Wednesday hit out at ruling BJD over the urban mess it has created in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Odisha government has no concrete plan on managing waste and waterlogging problems in major cities of the state despite huge funding from the Centre. With increasing urbanisation and rise in population in urban centres, the existing infrastructure has proven too inadequate, Mohanty told mediapersons here. The BJD government had identified 20 slums as Biju Adarsh colonies but after three years of launching the programme the beneficiaries are yet to reap its benefits. The state capital has turned out to be a garbage city with huge mound of solid waste heaped in its heart. We will remove the mountain of trash by making use of up to 8 per cent of the plastic waste compulsory for road construction under the rags to road scheme. We guarantee proper standard of living for slum dwellers by implementing a slum rehabilitation policy after coming to power, he said.

Odisha: Three directors of fintech companies arrested on charge of cyber fraud

BARGARH: The Cyber Crime Unit of Crime Branch, Odisha arrested three persons in connection with a Crypto Investment fraud on Wednesday. The accused were running Fintech Companies and became a part of cyber frauds by facilitating quick transfer of money to the virtual accounts of cyber criminals. The arrested persons have been identified as Sumit Kumar Das and Amiya Ranjan Satpathy of Bargarh who are directors of a Fintech Company PayInc besides Sidharth Satpathy of Bhillai, Chhattisgarh, the director of Fynpe. According to a release issued by Crime Branch, on May 5 last year, a victim reported that he had received a WhatsApp call from a stranger suggesting to subscribe to a YouTube channel link for earning money. After that she gave him a Telegram contact for further process. Then the victim frequently received messages through Telegram App enticing to invest money for high returns. Subsequently, the victim was lured by the offer and started investing money believing that he was going to get higher returns. The complainant deposited more than Rs 54.75 lakh in between May 6, 2023 and May 23, 2023 to get high returns, the release added. When the fraudsters pursued him for more money without any return, the complainant reported the matter with Cyber Police Station at Crime Branch Cuttack. On his complaint, a case was registered under various sections of the IPC besides section 66-C and 66-D of IT Act, 2000 and a team of officers led by Inspector Geetanjali Jena began investigation into it, the release stated. Online verification of the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) of Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that apart from this case, 26 other complaints from different parts of the country have been registered against the registered bank account of Fynpe and 18 against PayInc throughout India. Eventually, during the course of action, the involvement of the three accused was ascertained and they were arrested on Wednesday. In recent years, there has been a concerning increase in cases of investment fraud, with perpetrators often utilising WhatsApp or Telegram groups to defraud people by promising unrealistic returns and encourage individuals to deposit money into suggested accounts. The Cyber Crime Unit of Crime Branch has appealed the citizens to exercise necessary precaution while engaging in online investment activities.

Trance crime: Woman robbed of ornaments in Cuttack

CUTTACK: In a bizarre incident, a woman was allegedly hypnotised and robbed of her gold ornaments at a busy locality near Brundaban cinema hall in the city on Wednesday. Pushpalata Das (55) of Bajrakabati Road was on her way to buy vegetables near the cinema hall when two unidentified miscreants approached her for drinking water at around 10.30 am. The miscreants spoke in Hindi. Pushpalata, affable and religious in nature, bought water from a nearby shop and handed over to the miscreants who after drinking it blew into her eyes making her stand still on the spot. The miscreants then told Pushpalata that Goddess was annoyed with her and asked her to remove all her gold ornaments, keep it in her purse while chanting the Goddess name to get her blessings. Pushpalata obliged by removing her necklace, ring, a pair of earrings and bangles weighing around 30 gram and kept them in her purse which had Rs 150 in cash. The miscreants then asked her to hand over the purse and her mobile phone to them and walk 51 feet chanting the Goddess name, the complainant said. Pushpalata said she gave the purse and mobile phone and walked 51 feet towards the cinema hall chanting the Goddess name but when she turned back, the miscreants had fled the spot. The victim then lost consciousness. Later locals informed her family who then rescued her from the spot. Pushpalata filed an FIR with Purighat police station. We have registered the FIR and started investigating the incident by verifying the CCTV footage of the locality, said Purighat IIC Jatindra Sethi. Police said the case appeared to be an act of emotional blackmailing. We are trying to nab the miscreants as soon as possible, said a senior police officer while ruling out hypnotism.

PMs roadshow in Bhubaneswar, two km stretch under watch

BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modis roadshow in the state capital on Friday, second in last five years, has the security agencies on their toes. A whopping 55 platoon force has been mobilized to be deployed during the roadshow which will start from near BJP headquarters and end at Vani Vihar Square. The roadshow is expected to start at about 8.30 pm and continue for an hour. Quoting Prime Ministers Office (PMO), police said the roadshow will kick off from BJP headquarters or Ram Mandir Square to Vani Vihar. Traffic arrangements and diversions are being chalked out and details will be shared on Thursday. The 2 km stretch between Ram Mandir and Vani Vihar Square will remain under tight security cordon and all arrangements will be taken up as per blue book, said Police commissioner of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Sanjeeb Panda. Vehicular movement will not allowed on connecting roads from BJP headquarters to DCP office in Vani Vihar. Police are likely to stop vehicular movement on NH-16 near Vani Vihar once the prime ministers cavalcade reaches near Rama Devi University, said sources. Vehicles will also not be allowed to ply on the flyover near Vani Vihar during the period. While the entire stretch will be sanitized, nobody will be allowed on high rise buildings between Ram Mandir and Vani Vihar Square. Besides, the area will be declared no fly zone and drones will be barred during the roadshow. Bomb and dog squads have already started scanning the area. Sources said police have finalised the required security arrangements if the PM opts to walk for some distance during the roadshow. Police said the event will be held in the evening but did not specify its timing. Around 55 platoons of police force, five DCP ranked officers, 10 additional DCPs, 27 ACPs, 41 inspectors and 180 sub-inspectors will be deployed during the PMs roadshow to maintain law and order. Barricades will also be erected on both sides of the roads, said Panda. Three teams of special tactical unit (STU) and police personnel in plainclothes will also be deployed during the event. The National Highways Authority of India has also issued instruction to its regional office asking it to keep the NH stretch free of potholes and water-logging. Streetlighting and signages must also be put in place, said sources familiar of the instructions. During Modis roadshow in the capital ahead of general elections in 2019, thousands of people had descended on the streets to have a glimpse of him. This time too, police expect a huge turnout when the prime ministers cavalcade rolls on the city roads.

JMFC Court Dismisses Discharge Plea Of Anubhav Mohanty In Domestic Violence Case

Cuttack: The Cuttack Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) dismissed actor Anubhav Mohantys discharge petition and directed the authorities to frame charges of domestic violence against him on Tuesday. In December 2020, his former wife Varsha Priyadarshini complained to Purighat police station, alleging that Anubhav and two of his friends had locked her in a room [] The post JMFC Court Dismisses Discharge Plea Of Anubhav Mohanty In Domestic Violence Case appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Odisha's richest Lok Sabha election candidate owns 59 mutual fund schemes

Santrupt Misra, a BJD candidate for the Cuttack Lok Sabha Seat, declared investments in 59 mutual fund schemes. Notably, he holds significant stakes in various funds, including those from Aditya Birla, Axis, Bandhan, HDFC, ICICI Prudential, SBI, Kotak, Mirae Asset, and Bharat Bond ETFs.

Odisha: Man held for drugging and looting street vendors

CUTTACK: Cantonment police on Tuesday arrested another member of the gang which was involved in drugging and looting street vendors across twin city and several other districts since the last few months. The accused was identified as Uttam Behera alias Kankada (28) of Nurupur under Jajpurs Binjharpur area. Police have also seized cash of Rs 3,400, a mobile phone and an auto rickshaw from his possession. Additional DCP Anil Mishra said on February 28, Uttam and two others - Bikram Biswal and Ajay Behera - had come in the auto rickshaw to the stall of tender coconut vendor Purna Chandra Behera, located on the roadside near Barabati stadium, and asked him to cut 15 coconuts which were priced at Rs 40 each. While Purna was engaged in cutting the coconuts, Uttam offered him juice which he had bought from a nearby shop. However after drinking it, Purna lost consciousness following which the trio robbed Rs 58,000 from his pocket which he had saved for paying LIC premium, and fled. Later, locals rushed Purna to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment and informed his brother. The trio had applied the same modus operandi to loot Rs 30,000 from a roadside meat seller on March 30, said Mishra. Biswal and Behera were arrested earlier and remanded in judicial custody. The trio was involved in over 20 similar cases in different districts, he added.

Orissa HC grants bail to man on terms of planting 200 trees

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has granted bail to a man facing prosecution in an abetment to a suicide case on the condition that he will plant 200 saplings around his village. Noting that the accused has been in custody since November 19, 2023, Justice SK Panigrahi in his order, delivered on Monday, directed the Kalahandi district nursery to extend the helping hand by supplying plants to him. According to case records, Kartik Majhi is an accused in a case registered under section 451 (house trespassing), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 305 (abetment of suicide) under IPC and section 12 of Prevention of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act (sexual harassment). The Koksara police station had registered the case on the basis of the complaint lodged by father of the victim girl who had allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself after the six accused in the case had forcibly entered their house, abused his brother in obscene language and threatened to rape her. The case is pending before the Additional Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court under (POCSO), Bhawanipatna. Kartik filed his application for release on bail on February 20, 2024. While disposing of the bail plea on Monday, Justice Panigrahi granted Kartik bail on the condition that he shall plant 200 trees like mango, tamarind, etc., around his village - Reinguda under Ampani police station in Kalahandi district. Planting of trees will be in addition to the conditions to be fixed by the trial court while releasing Kartik on bail. Kartik shall start planting trees as soon as the rainy season approaches and will maintain those plants, Justice Panigrahi said while directing the Ampani police station to see whether he has planted the trees or not. The court asked the accused to appear before the local police station once in a week between 10 am to 1 pm. However, Justice Panigrahi cautioned, If the accused indulges himself in any criminal offence while on bail or tampers with evidence of the prosecution in any manner it may entail consideration for cancellation of the bail granted to him. In his order Justice Panigrahi said Advocate PK Satapathy, appearing on behalf of the accused had submitted that he is innocent and no way connected in the said offence. While submitting that the conduct of the accused in custody is satisfactory Satapathy also gave an undertaking that if released on bail he shall plant 200 trees around his village.

Prakash Beheras candidature draws flak from within BJD in Barabati-Cuttack seat

CUTTACK: A turbulent situation prevails for the ruling BJD in Barabati-Cuttack Assembly constituency with the party receiving backlash over selection of candidate from the segment besides other unresolved conflicts. On the other hand, while Congress seems to be going on the right track regarding campaigning, the BJP too is on the back foot apparently over delay in declaration of candidate for the seat. Sources said the BJDs decision to field former Salipur MLA and ex-district BJP unit president Prakash Behera from the seat has not gone down well with the local aspirants who had been vying for a party ticket since long. Behera joined the BJD after quitting the saffron party recently. Beheras selection as the BJD nominee from the segment has only flared up internal conflict and factionalism which became prominent after resignation of Subhas Singh from the Rajya Sabha to be elected as Cuttack Municipal Corporation mayor. Former Barabati-Cuttack MLA Debashish Samantaray who had lost the seat in 2019 election was nominated to Rajya Sabha. Apart from Singh and Samantaray, Ashirbad Beheras son Sanjay was also aspiring to contest the elections from the seat. Though the BJD top guns interfered and held several rounds of meetings with the CMCs ruling party corporators and local leaders to amicably settle the dissidence, the matter is yet to be resolved. Meanwhile, though Behera has already started campaigning, voters of the constituency are seemingly unwilling to accept his candidature with open arms. I will prefer voting for the candidate hailing from the city locality as I would not be going to Salipur to air my grievances, said 65-year-old Rebarani Bewa of Hatipokhari locality. Congress candidate Sofia Firdous has meanwhile intensified her door-to-door campaigning along with her father Mohammed Moquim who had won from the seat in the 2019 elections. Moquim had been actively strengthening his organisation since the last one year in the constituency but was debarred from contesting the polls owing to a 24-year-old corruption case against him. He is presently campaigning for his daughter to garner votes in her favour. If sources are to be believed, a majority of 37,500 voters belonging to the minority community is expected to vote in support of Sofia. On the other hand, BJP after much delay declared 68-year-old Dr Purna Chandra Mohapatra as its candidate from the seat. Mohapatra filed his nomination papers on Thursday and is yet to begin campaigning for the elections. He is banking on the partys organisation and Modi Guarantee.

Cuttack woman, Jharsuguda man in fray from multiple seats

Illegal sand mining: NGT seeks fresh affidavits from SEIAA and OSPCB

CUTTACK : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has rejected the affidavits filed by the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) in response to the petition that had alleged illegal mining of sand beyond the permitted lease area in the Kusei riverbed area at Deogaon under Ghasipura tehsil of Keonjhar district. The NGTs East Zone Bench in Kolkata was hearing the petition filed by Tapas Kumar Bal, a resident of Deogaon alleging unchecked mechanical extraction of sand by using high power machines (excavators) by the lessee. In an additional affidavit, petitioner counsel Sankar Prasad Pani pointed out that the affidavits filed by SEIAA and OSPCB had not given specific replies to the allegations made in the petition. Taking note of it, the bench of Justice B Amit Sthalekar (Judicial Member) and Dr Arun Kumar Verma (Expert Member) said the affidavits filed by SEIAA and OSPCB had not given replies with regard to the allegations made in the petition. None of the affidavits of the respondents has given any para-wise reply to the allegations of the petition. In fact, the affidavits filed by the respondents are in an essay form, the bench observed in its April 30 order. The bench directed SEIAA and OSPCB to file fresh para-wise counter affidavits within four weeks. While directing the deputy director Mines to file a reply affidavit, the tribunal also granted the lessee four weeks time to file a response to the petition. The bench posted the matter to May 31. The petition had alleged illegal mining of sand beyond the permitted area by the lessee in Kusei river which is intersecting Jajpur and Keonjhar districts. The sand quarry in question is adjoining Jajpur and sand is being illegally mined from the Jajpur side whereas transportation of the mined mineral is being done on the Keonjhar side, the petition alleged.

Cuttack has turned BJD bastion of dynastic politics

CUTTACK: Dynastic politics has become synonymous with BJD in Cuttack district which has placed its bets on wards of bigwigs in Banki, Choudwar-Cuttack and Mahanga Assembly segments. The party has fielded Ankit Pratap Jena, son of legislator Pratap Jena, from Mahanga seat this time. Pratap had made a hat-trick by winning the seat on a BJD ticket in 2009, 2014 and 2019. But with his name being dragged into the Mahanga double-murder case, BJD had to sideline him. The party however did not look far for Prataps replacement and nominated Ankit for the seat. The prestigious Mahanga Assembly constituency, represented by eminent leaders like Mahammad Attahar (Congress), Pradipta Kishore Das (PSP and Janata Party), Surendranath Patnaik (Congress), Biraja Prasad Roy (PSP), Sarat Kar (Utkal Congress, Janata Dal and BJD) Shaik Matlub Ali (Congress), Bikram Keshari Barma (BJD) from 1951 to 2004 had never seen nominations on hereditary basis. After abolition of Kissannagar Assembly constituency, Pratap who had represented the seat for two terms in 2000 and 2004, was given ticket by BJD to contest from Mahanga in 2009 sidelining both Sarat Kar and Bikram Keshari Barma. Earlier, BJD which had denied ticket to Banki MLA Pravat Kumar Tripathy and Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Prabhat Ranjan Biswal after they were entangled in chit fund scam had given their sons Devi Ranjan Tripathy and Sauvik Biswal a chance to contest from the respective constituencies in 2019 elections. Though both Devi Ranjan and Sauvik are contesting again, the organisational activities of both the Assembly segments are believed to have managed by both Pravat and Prabhat. Congress, considered the pioneer of dynastic politics, too has given ticket to Sofia Firdous, daughter of Mohammad Moquim.

Orissa HC commutes death sentence of man

Bhubaneswar: Observing that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future, the Orissa High Court Monday commuted the death sentence awarded by a lower court to a man for rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Cuttack in 2018 to life imprisonment. A division bench of Justices Sangam Kumar Sahoo and []

TPCODL Introduces Transformer Monitoring Units (TMU) for Enhanced Customer Service and Power Reliability in the twin city

Bhubaneswar: TPCODL, a joint venture of Tata Power and the Government of Odisha, continually strives to enhance customer service through advanced technological solutions. TPCODL has recently introduced state of art Transformer Monitoring Unit (TMU) at our 33/11kV primary substations in the twin cities Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. This TMU provides an exceptional combination of monitoring, control [] The post TPCODL Introduces Transformer Monitoring Units (TMU) for Enhanced Customer Service and Power Reliability in the twin city appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

BJD drops 30 per cent sitting MLAs, half of its MPs

BHUBANESWAR: The BJD has dropped at least 30 per cent of its sitting MLAs and 50 per cent of sitting MPs this simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Although it was speculated that the regional party, which aims to return to the power for the sixth consecutive term, would drop more than 50 per cent of its sitting MLAs on the basis of their performance, the failed talks on alliance with BJP forced it to retain some of the sitting lawmakers. Party sources said 33 sitting MLAs of the 112 elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2019 and six MPs of the 12 who won in the last elections have been denied tickets. Among the incumbent MPs, while Dhenkanal MP Mahesh Sahoo and Nabarangpur MP Ramesh Majhi have been fielded from Hindol and Jharigam Assembly constituencies respectively, Bhartruhari Mahtab resigned from the party and got nomination from BJP in Cuttack. Political observers believe BJD has attempted to revitalise its image and appeal to a broader spectrum of voters by replacing the incumbent lawmakers. The party has been successful in poaching two disgruntled former BJP leaders, who have been fielded from two prestigious constituencies - Berhampur and Balasore. It has also reposed faith on former Congress leaders in Kendrapara, Balangir and Keonjhar constituencies. However, nine family members of the dropped MLAs have managed to bag tickets. They are Archanarekha Behera (wife of Subrat Tarai) from Raghunathpali, Preetinanda Kanungo (wife of Rajkishore Das) from Morada, Sanjukta Singh (wife of Rajanikant Singh) from Angul, Ankit Pratap Jena (son of Pratap Jena) from Mahanga, Chinmayananda Srirup Deb (son of Usha Devi) from Chikiti, Gitanjali Routray (wife of Sambit Routray) from Paradip, Ramesh Majhi (brother of Prakash Majhi), Sanghamitra Swain (wife of Purna Chandra Swain) from Surada and Kausalya Pradhani (wife of Sadasiva Pradhani) from Nabarangpur. Besides, the party has fielded sitting Bangiriposi MLA Sudam Marndi as Lok Sabha candidate from Mayurbhanj and his wife Ranjita Marndi as the nominee from Bangiriposi Assembly segment. Similarly, Korei MLA Pranab Prakash Das has been fielded as the Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur and his mother Sandhyarani Das from Korei seat. The regional party has taken the lead by nominating 33 per cent (seven) women candidates for Lok Sabha and 23 per cent (35) in Assembly polls. However, the decision to drop sitting MLAs and MPs could have far-reaching implications for the BJDs future political fortunes. A senior BJD leader said by replacing candidates with stronger contenders, the party aims at maximising its chances of winning more seats. Public sentiments and winnability also factored into the decision, he said.

Commissionerate Police sets up eight check posts in Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: Amid heightened surveillance by Commissionerate Police ahead of the elections, around eight border check posts have been set up in the state capital to prevent unlawful activities and illegal transportation of cash. Police have set up the check posts in areas bordering Khurda, Cuttack and Puri. Three flying squads each have been deployed in four Assembly constituencies, while five have been engaged in Bhubaneswar North Assembly constituency as it is cash sensitive, said a senior police officer. Sources said there have been instances in the past of money being used in Bhubaneswar North constituency to influence voters due to which a strict vigil is being kept in the constituency by the police. Besides, three static surveillance teams have been engaged in each constituency to check unlawful activities and illegal movement of cash. Police on Saturday seized Rs 3.5 lakh in cash from the car of a contractor in Pokhariput area at around 9.30 pm. Police said the contractor claimed he was carrying the cash in his car for some construction work. Meanwhile, Odisha Police has seized over Rs 60 crore in cash from various parts of the state since January 1. The state police have implemented preventive measures and bound down 44,500 people under various sections and executed 10,000 non-bailable warrants. Around 120 inter-state check posts have been set up and 515 flying squads and 390 static surveillance teams engaged to check illegal activities.

STF seizes 49 kg marijuana, nabs 5

Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) has seized 49 kg of marijuana by intercepting two vehicles on National Highway-16 near Tangi area of Cuttack and claimed to have arrested five peddlers, including one from Bihar. Two four-wheelers and several incriminating materials have been seized from the possession of the accused, said a senior STF officer. []

Odisha's Kakhadi reverberates with chirp of Indian Skimmers

CUTTACK (KAKHADI): At least 165 Indian Skimmers have arrived at the sand bed of Mahanadi river at Kakhadi in Athagarh this year for nesting and laying eggs, the Forest department informed. Khuntuni forest range officer Nilamadhab Sahu said the Indian Skimmers have so far laid around 82 eggs of which 35 have hatched as of now. Steps have been taken to protect both eggs and the hatchlings and awareness drive undertaken in the locality involving educational institutions, residents and fishermen, he said. The endangered birds have reportedly been migrating from Southern Asia since the last four years for mass nesting as the site is considered a safe breeding ground. According to experts, the skimmers come to the place for nesting and laying eggs from February and stay till hatching in May after which they return back. With the water level of the Mahanadi river remaining low at the site during this period, the sand bed at Kakhadi provides a favourable environment for the purpose. The Indian Skimmers scrape the ground to make a shallow depression for laying their eggs. The rim of a scrape nest is just deep enough to keep the eggs from rolling away. The eggs usually take 25 to 30 days to hatch. Earlier, the birds used to congregate at the banks of the Mahanadi river near Mundali barrage under Chandaka Wildlife Division here. However, the site slowly got threatened by habitat loss and degradation, pollution and disturbance by humans.

India a Vishwa Bandhu, its global impact vital: EAM S Jaishankar

CUTTACK: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday spoke on Indias role as a Vishwa Bandhu (worlds friend) emphasising its diplomatic influence and global partnerships. Addressing a conference on Vishwa Bandhu Bharat here, he highlighted record Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows and strategic connectivity projects with countries like UAE, Iran, and Russia while outlining Indias effort to enhance global cooperation. Indias foreign policy and its identity have reached a new high across the world. When you press a button in a polling booth, its impact will not only be felt on an Assembly, Parliament and India but also across the world, said Jaishankar. Vishwa Bandhu is a term used to refer to a relevant country whose contribution is acknowledged by the world. The entire world believes such country will extend a helping hand and has maximum friends with minimum problems, he said. If we look at todays India and analyse the reasons why we are liked and respected, we will find that a lot of countries are keen to invest here, share technology and include it in the global supply chain. Today Indias FDI inflow has increased and companies like Apple and others are coming here, said Jaishankar. 'Quad is here to stay, grow and contribute': Dr S Jaishankar He said three high-profile projects are in the offing including connectivity from India to Europe via UAE which is known as India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The second is the International North-South Corridor via Iran and Russia. Similarly, another route will help reach Vietnam and the Indo-Pacific via Odisha coastline and North East region. There is a lot of scope to make the world a workplace because of the dearth of human resources and extend benefits to citizens. Though a lot of countries are keen to team up with India, connectivity issues persisting since partition remains a challenge before us as we fall short of creating new ones post-Independence, said the minister. For connectivity, countries need to come together and contribute. But the main factor is trust. This is where Vishwa Bandhu comes into play. Now, countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, Singapore, Vietnam and others want to work and partner with India. In the last 10 years, the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid a strong foundation for the country on the basis of which the goal of Viksit Bharat can be achieved in the next 25 years of the nations journey, he said. Among others, BJPs Cuttack MP candidate Bhartruhari Mahtab, MLA candidates for Barabati-Cuttack Dr Purna Chandra Mohapatra, Choudwar-Cuttack Nayan Kishore Mohanty and Sadar Prakash Sethi, BJP city unit president Lalatendu Badu were present in the conference.

Separatism, extremism existed in J&K when Art 370 remained: EAM

Cuttack (Odisha): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir should have been abrogated a long time back. Jaishankar noted that a feeling of separatism and extremism existed in Jammu and Kashmir when Article 370 remained in effect. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of India and added that there []

PoJK is very much a part of IndiaWe were made to forget about it: Jaishankar

Cuttack (Odisha), May 5: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of India and added that there is a resolution of the Indian Parliament which states that PoJK is part of the country. He noted that people were made to forget about PoJK, however, it is now back in [] The post PoJK is very much a part of IndiaWe were made to forget about it: Jaishankar appeared first on Northlines .

EAM S Jaishankar Emphasises Indias Role as Vishwabandhu

Cuttack: Prime Minister Modis vision of India becoming a Vishwaguru (world leader) is gradually transforming into reality as the nation now stands as a Vishwabandhu (friend of the world), leading global problem-solving initiatives. Therefore, increase in connectivity with other foreign countries is the need of time for this Vishwabandhu. This was the key message delivered [] The post EAM S Jaishankar Emphasises Indias Role as Vishwabandhu appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Odisha: Todays Pics

Students take part in painting competition organised by Cuttack Artists Association at Sriram Chandra Bhawan to raise awareness on Hepatitis-B

Many nations now seeking friendship with India: Jaishankar

Cuttack: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday said amidst conflict and uncertainty in some nations, many countries are seeking friendship with India. Speaking at a gathering focused on Viswa Bandhu Bharat during the second day of his Odisha visit, Jaishankar highlighted Indias potential for partnerships across the globe. He outlined Indias ability to engage Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

`Indians Made To Forget PoK...`: S Jaishankar Blames Past Neglect For Worsening Situation

In Cuttack, Jaishankar was asked about Indias vision for PoK, to which he replied,people were made to forget about PoK; however, its back in consciousness.

PoJK Is Very Much A Part Of IndiaWe Were Made To Forget About It: EAM Jaishankar

Cuttack (Odisha), May 5 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday said that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of India and added that there is a resolution of the Indian Parliament which states that PoJK is part of the country. He noted that people were made to forget about PoJK, however, it is now back in the consciousness of the people of India. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Asked about Indias plans for PoJK during an interactive session [] The post PoJK Is Very Much A Part Of IndiaWe Were Made To Forget About It: EAM Jaishankar appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

PM Modi, BJP Chief Nadda Embark on Two-Day Odisha Sojourn from Sunday

PM Modi, BJP Chief Nadda Embark on Two-Day Odisha Sojourn from Sunday Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J P Nadda will arrive in Bhubaneswar on Sunday on their two-day visit to Odisha. PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in the Odisha capital around 9.30 pm and will make a night halt at Raj Bhavan. He will address election rallies at Berhampur and Nabarangpur on Monday, a BJP leader said. PM Modi will again come to the state on May 10, when he will lead a road show in Bhubaneswar. On the following day, he would address an election rally in Bolangir, he said. Odisha Police have tightened security arrangements for the PM's visit on Sunday. Tight security will be ensured from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Raj Bhavan on Sunday evening, a police officer said. Nadda, on the other hand, is slated to reach Bhubaneswar this afternoon. He is scheduled to release the election manifesto of the state unit of the BJP in Bhubaneswar around 3 pm. The BJP president will also hold meetings with party leaders and workers in Bhubaneswar and neighbouring Cuttack to discuss the party's strategies for the ensuing Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state. The state will go to polls from May 13 to June 1.

Rayagada: Creating voter awareness the tribal way

BERHAMPUR: The Rayagada administration, in a bid to ensure 100 per cent voting in the elections, has come up with two unique initiatives to encourage people to exercise their right to vote. As per the direction of collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, officials of the district administration have been moving door-to-door to distribute handmade bamboo fans in the remote areas sensitising people about their voting rights. Painted with details of the polling booths in Idital, a form of Saura painting, these fans have messages like, Mu nischaya vote debi (I will definitely vote) and ama vote ama bala (my vote my responsibility), asking voters to cooperate for a free, fair and impartial election. In the second initiative, the administration is distributing invitation cards with slogans imprinted in local dialects like, Muin misha vote debi-apana misha vote debe. The three Assembly constituencies of the district - Rayagada, Bissamcuttack and Gunupur will go to polls on May 13. Sources said Rayagada has around 32,189 new voters. It had registered 75 pc polling in the 2019 elections. Officials of the district administration said the use of bamboo fans has also augmented the business of the artisans making bamboo fans. Sub-collector Kalyani Sanghamitra Devi said using bamboo fans to create voter awareness is a cost-effective and environment-friendly option.

Odisha: RO rejects BJP claims, says Saradas candidature valid

ROURKELA: High drama unfolded at the office of the returning officer (RO) for the prestigious Rourkela Assembly constituency (AC) during scrutiny of nomination papers after the BJP demanded rejection of BJD nominee and minister Sarada Prasad Nayaks candidature on ground of false declaration made by him. However, at the end of scrutiny, the candidacy of Nayak was found to be valid. Representing heavyweight BJP candidate Dilip Ray, senior advocate of the Orissa High Court Pitambar Acharya on Saturday appeared before the RO and Panposh sub-collector Bijay Nayak with a petition. Acharya said he appealed for cancellation of nomination of Nayak accusing him of suppression of information in the prescribed Form 26. Acharya claimed two pending criminal cases against Nayak while the latter mentioned only one case. Acharya said, One of the criminal cases in which charge has been framed and the next hearing is on May 9 at the Panposh SDJM court, has not been mentioned in the affidavit submitted by Nayak. It is a valid ground for cancellation of Nayaks candidature and there is precedence of the court having revoked elections of two election winners due to submission of false affidavit. Acharya said Nayak concealed information about his shares in joint ownership of immovable properties, claiming Nayak had showed ownership of one landed property at his native place Sankilo in Cuttack district, but suppressed information about 29 other plots. Information of land records obtained from the Bhulekh Land Records web portal of the Odisha government has been provided to the RO, Acharya added. Citing the guidelines of the ECI and relevant ruling of the Supreme Court of India we appealed to the RO to apply his judicial conscience and cancel the nomination of Nayak and also register criminal case against him, Acharya further stated. Incidentally, while Acharya and others were submitting their petition, BJDs Rourkela unit vice-president and election convenor Sudam Das raised a hue and cry objecting the entry of Acharya in the office of the RO during scrutiny of papers. Das, a practising advocate at the Rourkela court, said only a candidate or the authorised agent is allowed. BJD spokesperson Jayant Mishra in a statement said the BJP, for the fear of losing, conspired to get Nayaks nomination cancelled, but failed, adding the voters of Rourkela would give befitting reply to the BJP. Meanwhile, the RO confirmed to this paper that the petition of the BJP was rejected and Nayaks nomination stood valid after scrutiny.

Odisha HC seeks details on two convicts to assess death penalty

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has directed the senior superintendent, Circle Jail, Cuttack at Choudwar to submit reports on the past life, psychological conditions, post-conviction conduct and such other matters on two convicts who were awarded death sentence for rape and murder of a six-year-old girl. The direction assumes significance as it is for the first time that the Orissa High Court has passed such an order while considering a death reference. The high court expected the jail official to obtain the reports by taking service and necessary assistance from the probation officer and such other officers including a psychologist or jail doctor or any medical officer attending the prison. The convicts have been also given an opportunity to furnish such data in the shape of affidavits. The minor girl was kidnapped while she was on her way back home after buying chocolates from a shop. She was gagged and gang raped in an abandoned house near the village and killed to destroy evidence. The incident occurred at a village under Tirtol police station on August 21, 2014. After trial in the case, the court of Additional District & Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court-POCSO), Jagatsinghpur convicted Sk Asif Ali (36) and Sk Akil Ali (35) on November 21, 2022 and imposed death penalty on them as it felt it came under the rarest of rare category of crimes. While the death sentence was sent by the state government to the high court for confirmation, the two convicts also filed criminal appeals against the trial court verdict. The high court issued the direction on Thursday after taking note of the state government counsel Bibhu Prasad Tripathys submission that the trial court awarded the death sentence on the same day it convicted the two appellants. The division bench of Justice SK Sahoo and Justice RK Patnaik said, Such an exercise is considered to be absolutely expedient in order to advance the cause of justice, the intent and purpose being to provide a fair amount of opportunity for the appellants to bring on record all such mitigating circumstances to be weighed against the aggravating circumstances since a balance is to be struck while taking a final decision on sentence in juxtaposition to the sentences imposed by the trial court. The bench felt there has been no proper and meaningful hearing as such which is necessary in order to do complete justice. In fact, there appears to be no opportunity afforded to the appellants to submit any such material in support of the mitigating circumstances during and in course of hearing on the question of sentence, the bench observed. While citing Supreme Court orders, the bench said, Law is well-settled that hearing on the question of sentence has to be real and effective and not a mere formality; if a meaningful hearing is not taken up by a court while considering the sentence to be imposed and inflicted upon the convict, it is likely to cause severe prejudice to him.