Former Junior Accountant Dismissed From Govt Service After Conviction In Bribery Case

Gajapati: A former Junior Accountant in Gajapati district has been dismissed from the govt service following his conviction in a vigilance trap case. The accused has been identified as B. Chandra Sekhar Behera, Ex-Junior Accountant, Education Section, Block Development Office, Kashinagar, A/p-Senior Assistant, District Education Office, Gajapati. Behera was charge-sheeted by Odisha Vigilance in Berhampur [] The post Former Junior Accountant Dismissed From Govt Service After Conviction In Bribery Case appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

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.

Congress candidate gets Arrested for Assaulting his Business Rival

Berhampur: Saka Sujit Kumar, the Congress candidate for the Digapahandi assembly seat in Odisha's Ganjam district, was arrested for allegedly assaulting a builder, police said on Friday. The incident, which was the result of business rivalry, happened near the Berhampur police station on Wednesday, and Kumar was taken into custody on Thursday, they said. Superintendent of Police Sarthak Sarangi said three persons, including a builder identified as Sudhansu Sangram Padhy of Sihala, were injured in the assault. Padhy's staff were beaten up when they were working at a plot in Kukudakhandi. Following it, Padhy along with some of his associates were going to the police station to lodge a complaint when the Congress candidate allegedly attacked them along with his men, police said. Along with the candidate, police said that they also arrested his aide K Amit Kumar. Kumar is also involved in the real estate business and professional rivalry is suspected to be the reason behind the incident, police said.

Sambalpur varsity starts research internship

BHUBANESWAR: Sambalpur Universitys Centre of Excellence in Natural Products and Therapeutics has started a research internship programme for students of the institution and from outside the state, becoming the first public university of Odisha to do so. The internship is for both under-graduate and post-graduate students who can learn about research techniques, approach, equipment, among other things at the centre of excellence. Senior officials of the Higher Education department informed this is the first research internship programme in any university and close to 136 students are undergoing training on various aspects of research on natural products and therapeutics. Of them, 30 are from Sambalpur university, 66 from other higher educational institutions in the state and the remaining 40 from outside Odisha. It will help the students gain first-hand experience in research modalities before they pursue it at PhD level. Vice-chairperson of Odisha State Higher Education Council Ashok Das said the initiative is aimed at training UG and PG students in sophisticated analytical techniques and instruments. For training purpose, the government has decided to extend sustenance grants of Rs 35 lakh under the new Mukhyamantri Research and Innovation Fellowship programme to the university. Established in 2018, the centre of excellence focuses on inter-disciplinary research on medicinal plants found in the bio-diversity-rich Gandhamardan region. The centre is collaborating with the department of biotechnology and bio-informatics and school of chemistry. Officials added similar research internships will be carried out at the centres of excellence of all public universities. At present, 11 research centres of excellence are operational at seven government-run universities where research fellows (faculty members) are conducting Odisha-centric applied research in areas of natural sciences, engineering, humanities and social sciences. The universities are Utkal, Sambalpur, Berhampur, North Odisha, Ravenshaw, Gangadhar Meher and Rama Devi. While four of them are researching social science, humanities and literature, the rest are researching on various topics related to science and public health.

BJP worker killed, eight injured in pre-poll violence in Ganjam

BERHAMPUR/BHUBANESWAR: As Odisha readies for its second phase elections, pre-poll violence raised its ugly head in Ganjam district where a BJP worker was killed and eight others injured in a clash with BJD supporters at Srikrushnasaranpur village under Khallikote police limits. According to reports, the clash took place on Wednesday night over putting up banners by the BJP workers led by local party leader Dilip Pahan in the village which was opposed by the BJD supporters. Pahan is reported to have told the BJD workers that they should not be opposing the BJP flags as BJD banners and posters had already been pasted in the village. Later in the night, around 30 people came in motorcycles and attacked the BJP workers with sharp weapons. The injured were taken to Khallikote CHC and later shifted to MKCG MCH,where doctors declared Dilip dead. The incident sparked tension in the area with BJP workers allegedly vandalising several vehicles parked near the residence of BJD candidate and sitting MLA from the Khallikote Assembly seat Surjyamani Baidya. They demanded the arrest of the MLA and her husband Daitary Behera alleging their involvement in the attack. Election for the Khallikote seat would be held on May 20. A large police contingent was rushed to the village to control the situation after the incident while nine persons were arrested in the connection. However, while the arrested persons were being forwarded to court, local villagers, mostly BJP activists, gheraoed the police station and blocked the road disrupting communication between Khallikote and Bhubaneswar. The mob threw stones at the police injuring IIC Naresh Kumar Sahu and SDPO Gourahari Sahu. As the mob did not respond to appeals and turned violent, police resorted to lathicharge to disperse them. With no let up in the situation, the Ganjam district administration on Thursday clamped prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC in 100 mtr area around Khallikote police station. The violence drew widespread condemnation across all sections. Expressing concern over the incident, chief electoral officer (CEO), Odisha, NB Dhal asked the district collector and superintendent of police to take immediate action in this regard. The CEO directed the administration and police to adopt zero tolerance to violence. Strongly condemning the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said he was deeply disturbed and saddened at the very unfortunate and tragic incident of violence in Khallikote area. Such incidents of violence have no place in our democracy and civil society and expressed deepest condolence to the family who has lost their loved one. I am sure police will take strong and exemplary action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime, he added. Union Minister and BJP candidate from Sambalpur Dharmendra Pradhan alleged that the ruling party was resorting to violence for fear of losing the elections. I strongly condemn the attack on BJP workers by BJD. I am saddened by the death of our party activist. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. People of Odisha will give a befitting reply through the ballot. Election officials and police administration should immediately investigate the incident and take action against the culprits, he posted on X. National BJP president JP Nadda, who undertook a roadshow in Bhubaneswar, also expressed concern over the clash and said such incidents should not happen. CEO orders deployment of 20 CAPF companies in the district The chief electoral officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal on Thursday approved deployment of 20 companies of CAPF in the district for the second phase elections on May 20. Dhal has instructed the Ganjam collector, who is also the district election officer, to not to use the CAPF companies as reserve or strike force. The CAPF will be deployed for peaceful conduct of polls in different booths across the district.

Congress MLA candidate held for attack on realtors

BERHAMPUR: Berhampur Sadar police on Thursday arrested a Congress MLA candidate from the Digapahandi Assembly segment and his associate for their alleged involvement in the attack on a group of realtors the previous day. The candidate S Sujit Kumar and his associate K Amit Kumar had a heated exchange of words with the realtors over a piece of land in Kukudakhandi on Wednesday, following which Sujits supporters allegedly threatened the latter with dire consequences, SDPO Subhranshu Parida said. The realtors then informed the police, after which the cops called both parties to the police station in the evening. Accordingly, both groups reached the police station and were waiting outside the office of the IIC when, without any provocation, Sujit and his supporters allegedly pounced on the realtors, injuring four of them. Hearing their screams, police came outside and took the injured to MKCG MCH. SDPO Parida said police later arrested Sujit and his associate and produced them in court.

Odisha: Voting from home begins in Khurda, 1,704 to cast votes

BHUBANESWAR: Voting from home for the elderly and persons with disabilities started in all the Assembly constituencies of Khurda district on Wednesday. The seats will go to polls in the third phase on May 25. As per officials, 1,704 PwDs and senior citizens aged 85 and above (categorised as very senior citizens) across eight Assembly constituencies have opted for voting from home. While 1,218 are aged above 85, 482 are PwDs. The constituencies under Khurda district are Jayadev, Bhubaneswar Central, Bhubaneswar North, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Begunia, Khurda and Chilika. The highest 321 voters in both the categories are from Chilika constituency. Within Bhubaneswar city, four constituencies have 795 voters from both categories. Officials said a team of three to four polling officials, a police personnel and a booth level officer visited voters houses with a ballot box which was used by voters to cast their votes. The exercise will continue for the next few days. In the first week of May, voting from home for elderly and persons with disabilities was held in districts under Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Berhampur and Koraput constituencies. Around 4,158 PwDs and senior citizens had opted for the home voting option then. In Odisha, there are 3.02 lakh senior citizens aged 85 and above and 4.57 lakh PwDs. Last month, Khurda administration had launched door-to-door campaigns to provide form 12D, a letter informing the assistant returning officer that the person may not be in a position to go to the polling station and should be allowed to vote in their homes, to very senior citizens and PwDs. Very senior citizens and PwDs with 40 per cent benchmark disability can still avail the optional home voting facility. However, such voters will not be eligible to cast their votes physically at the booths. Meanwhile, after completion of the second phase of EVM randomisation, commissioning of EVMs began on Wednesday. The commissioning is being done at BJB Autonomous College, Prananath College, among other places. On May 23, the polling parties will travel to all the booths with the EVMs and other materials. Around 19.6 lakh voters will exercise their franchise at 1,923 polling centres across the district.

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.

Independents may play spoilsport

Bhubaneswar: The first phase of elections in Odisha is done and dusted. A total of four Lok Sabha constituencies Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Berhampur and Koraput and 28 Assembly segments went to the polls in the first phase May 13. The second phase will be conducted May 20. Even though the electoral fight is limited []

Odisha Registers 75.68% Voter Turnout in First Phase Assembly Elections

Odisha Registers 75.68% Voter Turnout in First Phase Assembly Elections Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) N B Dhal on Wednesday said the voter turnout in the first phase of polling in four Lok Sabha seats and 28 assembly segments in the state on May 13 was 75.68 per cent. The CEO said the voter turnout may further increase after receipt of postal votes. He said the highest voter turnout of 82.16 per cent was recorded in Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituency. The CEO said Nabarangpur was followed by Kalahandi (77.90 pc), Koraput (77,53 PC) and Berhampur (65.41 pc). Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Odisha. Meanwhile, a report said the tribal tribal-dominated Nabarangpur district with four assembly segments under the Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat said the district recorded an impressive voter turnout of over 84.57 per cent, surpassing its previous record of approximately 80 per cent set in 2019. District Election Officer-cum-Collector (Nabarangpur) Kamal Lochan Mishra attributed this high voter turnout to extensive voter awareness campaigns conducted under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative. ''Several voter awareness programmes were undertaken to enhance the voting percentage in the district and it's good to notice that the district recorded nearly 85 per cent of polling,'' said Mishra. Among the assembly segments, Nabarangpur registered the highest polling percentage at 85.61, followed by Dabugaon 85.20 per cent, Jharigaon 84.22 per cent, and Umerkote 83.05 per cent. The Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituency also witnessed a notable rise in voter participation, with 82.16 per cent turnout compared to 79.52 per cent in 2019, making it the highest among the four Lok Sabha seats that went to poll on May 13. Candidates from various political parties expressed optimism regarding the impact of the high voter turnout on their campaigns. ''The high turnout of voters speaks volumes of people's anger towards the BJD in the state and BJP in the Centre. I am confident that the people have voted for Congress,'' said Bhujabal Majhi of Congress for Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat. Pradeep Majhi BJD candidate for the Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat attributed the high voter turnout to the regional party's effective governance under the Nabarangpur Parliamentary segment.

Odisha records over 75 per cent voting in 1st phase LS polls

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha recorded over 75 per cent polling in the first phase polls on Monday for four Lok Sabha seats. The state was second only to West Bengal where over 80 per cent voters exercised their franchise. However, the approximate voter turnout in the 28 Assembly seats was slightly lower at 74.65 per cent. As per the latest data released by Election Commission of India, the polling percentage for the first phase was 75.17 for Odisha. Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seat recorded the highest 82.16 per cent of polling which was the highest in the first phase polls. While Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat recorded 77.9 per cent polling, it was closely followed by Koraput where 76.98 per cent voters exercised their franchise. However, comparatively low polling was recorded in Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency where only 63.9 per cent voters exercised their franchise. In the first phase polls held in the four Lok Sabha seats, polling in Nabarangpur was highest at 79.83 per cent while in Kalahandi it was 76.24 per cent. Koraput had recorded 75.3 percent polling. The lowest polling of 63.9 percent was recorded in Berhampur Lok Sabha seat. Among the Assembly seats, Nabarangpur witnessed the highest polling of 85.63 per cent followed by 85.25 per cent in Dabugam. Polling in Berhampur Assembly seat continued to be lowest at 54.14 per cent. Other constituencies where polling crossed 80 per cent are Jharigam (84.23 per cent), Kotpad (83.92 per cent), Umerkote (83.05 per cent), Pottangi (82.4 per cent), Lakshmipur (81.71 per cent) and Junagarh (80.24 per cent). Polling in five Assembly seats in Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituency crossed 80 per cent this time. In 2019, Dabugam had recorded 83 per cent polling. Polling in Nabarangpur and Kotpad Assembly segments had also crossed 80 per cent. However, Berhampur Assembly constituency had recorded low polling of 56.3 per cent in 2019.

Former BeMC mayor arrested for attack on Pradeep Panigrahy

BERHAMPUR: High drama unfolded in Berhampur after Independent candidate for the Berhampur Assembly segment Siva Shankar Dash was arrested on Tuesday on charges of assaulting BJP Lok Sabha seat candidate Pradeep Panigrahy . A case was registered against Siva, including charges of attempt to murder, based on Pradeeps complaint. He was presented before the sub-divisional judicial magistrate court, where his bail petition was rejected and he was remanded in judicial custody. With tension prevailing in the Gosaninuagaon area, armed police have been deployed in the area. Meanwhile, police investigation is underway, with CCTV footage of the incident being collected for examination. Berhampur SP Sarthak Sarangi said further investigation into the matter is on. A counter FIR has also been registered at Gosaninuagaon police station based on a complaint filed by Sivas wife, Asha Kumari Dash. The incident occurred on Monday evening during a scuffle between the two, resulting in injuries to Pradeep, who was subsequently admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Doctors at MKCG Medical College and Hospital detected bleeding wounds on Pradeeps shoulder and cracks in his rib. He was shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, for further medical attention. The altercation between Pradeep and Siva reportedly took place after polling concluded at booth numbers 132 and 133 in Gosaninuagaon. BJP agents found that the EVMs at the polling station were not sealed, leading to the arrival of Pradeep and his supporters. As Pradeep was engaged in discussions with polling officials and police, Siva allegedly attacked him from behind. Both sustained injuries, with Pradeep requiring medical treatment for bleeding wounds and chest pain. Following police intervention, Pradeep was taken to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for treatment and Siva apprehended. Demanding release of Siva, hundreds of supporters including women gheraoed Gosaninuagaon police station. Since police efforts to disperse the crowd proved futile, prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC was promulgated in the area to vacate the supporters of Siva. Siva, a former mayor of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) and aspirant for BJD candidacy, has a history of political rivalry with Pradeep, who recently joined BJP and secured the partys MP ticket for Berhampur LS constituency. Siva was inducted into BJD by late Surjya Narayan Patro. He was an aspirant for BJD ticket in 2009 but denied a chance when Pradeep was looking after the party affairs in the district.

BJP confident of major victory in first phase of Odisha elections

BHUBANESWAR: Exuding confidence of forming the next government in the state, BJPs Odisha election in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar on Tuesday said his party will sweep the first phase elections. Tomar claimed the saffron party would win 18 out of 28 Assembly seats. BJP is going to win all the four Lok Sabha seats and 18 out of 28 Assembly seats that went to polls in the first phase, he said. Asserting BJP will get a clear majority in Assembly and form the first government in the state, he claimed the party will win 16 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats. A couple of days back, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had told a national television channel that BJP will win 16 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha. With three more phases to go, the BJP is optimistic of doing well across the state. Ahead of the first phase election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Berhampur had told the people that he had come to invite them to the swearing-in ceremony of the first BJP government to be held in Bhubaneswar on June 10. He had stated that June 4, the day when results would be announced, will mark the expiry date of the BJD government in Odisha. The PM also declared June 6 as the date for announcement of the name of the BJP chief minister. Shortly after the prime ministers assertion, BJD leader VK Pandian had announced that Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister for the sixth consecutive term on June 9. He said the oath taking ceremony will take place between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm.

BJD will bag 24 of 28 Assembly seats in phase-I: VK Pandian

BHUBANESWAR: A day after first phase polls in Odisha, senior BJD leader VK Pandian, who is spearheading the party campaign, asserted they are winning at least 24 of the 28 Assembly seats and put up a much better performance at the Lok Sabha level in the first round. Not only the phase-I, the BJD will sweep all wthe seats in Odisha as there is a wave in favour of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. BJD will sweep the elections whether it is first, second, third or fourth round. To be precise, in the first round BJD will win a minimum of 24 seats, the chief strategist of the regional outfit said. Elections were held to four Lok Sabha seats - Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi - and 28 Assembly segments under them in the first phase on Monday. In 2019, the party had won 20 out of same 28 Assembly constituencies and two Lok Sabha seats that went to polls in the first phase. While dismissing the rivals, Pandian said, the competition was restricted to two seats with Congress and one seat with BJP. He, however, did not predict anything on the four Lok Sabha seats. He said BJD will do much better in the Lok Sabha elections compared to 2019. Lok Sabha is too huge to predict, he stated. On the impact of the election meetings and roadshows conducted by the BJP top leadership including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and national president JP Nadda, Pandian said it will be known only on June 4, the day votes will be counted. The love and affection of people for BJD and its president Naveen Patnaik is very humbling. It gives us a lot of confidence. People coming and waiting for hours in scorching heat gives us the strength to fight for the cause of Odisha, he said.

Berhampur count lowest at 63.34%

BJP candidate hospitalised after being assaultedin Berhampur

Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy, BJP candidate, was assaulted by Shiv Shankar Das, an Independent candidate contesting from Berhampur assembly seat

Odisha Witnessed 73.97% Voting in 4 Lok Sabha Constituencies

Odisha Witnessed 73.97% Voting in 4 Lok Sabha Constituencies Odisha recorded a voter turnout of 73.97 per cent in the four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments which went to the polls on May 13, an official said on Tuesday. A voter turnout of over 64.81 per cent was recorded till 6 pm on May 13. A revised figure of 73.97 per cent was released on Tuesday. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections the voter turnout in the four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly segments was 74.18 per cent. Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Odisha. The highest voter turnout of 80.22 per cent was recorded in the tribal-dominated Nabarangpur Parliamentary seat followed by Koraput (76.98 pc), Kalahandi (75.71 pc) and Berhampur (63.34 pc) Meanwhile, both the ruling Biju Janata Dal and opposition BJP in Odisha claimed to have performed very well in the polling held on May 13 in four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments. BJD leader V K Pandian on Tuesday claimed that the regional party will secure at least 24 of the 28 assembly seats in the phase 1 elections. ''BJD is sweeping the elections whether it is first, second, third or fourth phase. In the first phase, BJD is winning a minimum of 24 out of 28 seats,'' Pandian said. The regional party in 2019 had won 20 of the 28 assembly seats while BJP got 4 assembly seats followed by Congress 3 and an Independent. However, Pandian did not give any figures on the Lok Sabha seats. ''I will not speak on Lok Sabha results. It is a big thing. However, we will definitely perform better than 2019,'' he said. Pandian claimed that there was a Naveen Patnaik wave this time. BJP Odisha election In-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar on Tuesday claimed that his party will win all four Lok Sabha constituencies and 18 out of 28 Assembly seats that went to polls in the first round of voting in Odisha on May 13. Asserting that the saffron party will form the government in Odisha, Tomar said BJP will win at least 16 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha.

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.

Odisha: Independent candidate arrested for attacking BJPs Berhampur MP candidate

Berhampur: Berhampur Assembly independent candidate Siva Shankar Das was arrested and sent to jail Tuesday for allegedly attacking BJPs Berhampur Lok Sabha candidate Pradeep Panigrahi on polling day Monday. Both Pradeep and Siva Shankar got into a heated argument at Gosani Nuagam Sunday during polling at the Utkalmani UP School booth in the first phase []

Shibashankar Das Arrested For Attacking BJP Candidate Pradeep Panigrahi

Berhampur: Shibashankar Das, an independent candidate who is contesting from the Berhampur Assembly seat has been arrested by the police for attacking BJPs Lok Sabha candidate Pradeep Panigrahi. As per reports, Shibashankar and Panigrahi came to blows at Gosaninuagaon last night. While supporters of Das alleged booth rigging, supporters of Panigrahi claimed that the issue [] The post Shibashankar Das Arrested For Attacking BJP Candidate Pradeep Panigrahi appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Ganjam: Youth found, murdered, probe underway

BERHAMPUR: Police recovered the mutilated body of a youth near a canal at Narayanpur under K Nuagaon police limits in Ganjam district.The deceased has been identified as Milan Sahu (28), a resident of Deuliapada village of Chandapur panchayat under Chikiti block in the district. Locals spotted the body and informed K Nuagaon police who reached the spot along with a forensic team and began a probe.The body was sent to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for postmortem and later handed over to the family members. Since, Sahus body was found with deep injuries on his head and face probably caused by a blunt object a murder case has been registered, police said. As per locals, the deceased was allegedly involved in gambling and had disputes with fellow gamblers. Investigation and circumstantial evidence point to a pre-planned murder, said IIC K Nuagaon Kishore Kumar Samal, adding that investigation is on to identify the killers.

Panigrahy injured in scuffle with Independent candidate

BHUBANESWAR: Pradeep Panigrahy, BJPs Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency candidate, sustained grievous injuries after he allegedly came under attack from former Berhampur mayor Siba Shankar Dash in Goshani Nuagaon area of the city on Monday. Sources said, after the completion of polling at booth 132 and 133, when the election party was preparing to leave, BJP agents noticed that the EVMs were not sealed. They objected and informed the matter to their leaders, prompting Panigrahy to arrive at the spot with his supporters. Gosani Nuagaon IIC Smrutirekha Pradhan and other police officials also reached the spot. During a discussion among Pradeep, polling officials and police, Siba arrived and allegedly physically assaulted the BJP MP candidate. This led to a scuffle, leaving both injured. However, Pradeep sustained bleeding injuries on his right shoulder and complained of chest pain. While Siba was overpowered and taken to the police station, police rushed him to MKCG Medical College and Hospital. Later, polling officials sealed both the EVMs and left to deposit them at the treasury. Meanwhile, hundreds of Gosani Nuagaon residents, including women gheraoed the police station, demanding Sibas release. Police said the incident may have been a fallout of the long-standing animosity between Siba and Pradeep which started in 2019.

BJPs Pradeep Panigrahi, Independent candidate come to blows at Gosaninuagaon

Berhampur: BJPs Berhampur Lok Sabha candidate Pradeep Panigrahi and Independent candidate Shibashankar Das, who is contesting from the Berhampur Assembly seat, reportedly came to blows at Gosaninuagaon last night. While supporters of Das alleged booth rigging, supporters of Panigrahi claimed that the issue cropped up over the sealing of the EVMs. Panigrahi sustained minor [] The post BJPs Pradeep Panigrahi, Independent candidate come to blows at Gosaninuagaon appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Lok Sabha polls: Four rounds done, three more to go to elect the next government

After elections to 96 constituencies spread across 10 states and Union Territories in the 4th phase, polling to 381 seats is over. West Bengal recorded a turnout at 75.94%, the highest among states/UTs in this phase. This newspaper takes a look... Madhya pradesh Eight Lok Sabha seats on Monday clocked around 72% polling, 3.5% less than that of 2019 elections, marking the conclusion of voting for the 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh. Male voters (75.01%) outnumbered the female voters (68.45%) by more than 6.5%. In seven seats in Malwa-Nimar region, maximum 75.79% voting was reported in Khargone (ST), followed by 74.86% in Dewas (SC), 74.50% in Mandsaur, 73.03% in Ujjain (SC), 72.86% in Ratlam (ST), 71.50% in Dhar (ST) and 70.72% in Khandwa, according to turnout figures till 6 pm. Indore constituency reported lowest 60.53% voting against 69.31% in 2019. With the battle for Indore ending up as a contest between BJP MP Shankar Lalwani and NOTA (after withdrawal of papers by Congress nominee Akshay Kanti Bam), the voting percentage dropped, particularly in all five urban assembly segments. Lowest 56.54% voting was reported in Indore-3, 57.19% in Indore-5, 58.03% in Indore-2, 59.84% in Indore-1 and 61.89% in Indore-4. Bihar The fourth phase of polling for five Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar concluded peacefully on Monday under tight security. The overall voter turnout was 56.85% across the constituencies of Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur (SC), Begusarai, and Munger. Begusarai recorded the highest turnout at 58.40%, followed by Samastipur at 58.10%, Darbhanga at 56.63%, Ujiarpur at 56%, and Munger at 55%. In comparison, the 2019 Lok Sabha polls saw a 59.20% voter turnout. The electoral fate of 55 candidates, including two Union MinistersGiriraj Singh from Begusarai and Nityanand Rai from Ujiarpurhas been sealed in the EVMs. JD(U)s former president, Rajiv Rajan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, is contesting from Munger. The CEOs office received 62 complaints, all of which were resolved promptly. Tragically, a polling officer named Onkar Kumar Choudhary passed away at a polling station in Munger before the mock poll began. No other untoward incidents were reported. Jharkhand As the polling for the first round of elections in Jharkhand concluded on Monday, Singhbhum recorded the highest voting percentage at 63.14 per cent, followed by Khunti with 65.82 per cent, Lohardaga with 62.60 per cent, and Palamu with 59.99 per cent. Interestingly, three villages Tirilposi, Rengdahatu, and Boroi under the Singhbhm Lok Sabha seat witnessed polling for the first time in the last 20 years. Notably, since the region was Maoist-infested for the last 20 years, the district administration in Singhbhum used to relocate the polling booths of these villages to safer zones. But, after the police launched an intensive campaign against the Maoists by setting up CRPF camps in the area, the red rebels were compelled to go on the back foot. According to the police, Singhbhum had a maximum of 524 vulnerable booths, and hence adequate deployment of security personnel was made during the polling on Monday. Andhra pradesh A ruling YSRCP MLA on Monday slapped a man waiting to cast his vote at a polling booth Amaravati only to receive it back himself. The MLA had hit the man who questioned him for jumping the queue. Not pleased at the MLA being slapped, his supporters vented out their anger on the man. Further, Tenali police in Guntur district registered a case under relevant sections in connection with a scuffle that broke between YSRCP MLA A Siva Kumar and a voter at Tenali in Guntur district. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena took serious note of clashes reported between ruling YSRCP and opposition parties in Tenali, Macherla and Anantapur, and directed officials to enforce house arrests wherever required, including registering cases. The TDP and YSRCP traded violence allegations against each others supporters and cadres at multiple locations in the state, especially in Palnadu, Kadapa and Annamayya districts Uttar pradesh Uttar Pradesh, politically the most crucial and population-wise the largest state of the country, recorded a voter turnout of nearly 58% during phase 4 voting across 13 Lok Sabha constituencies on Monday. The polling in this phase in 2019 was close to 58.9%. Lakhimpur Kheri, Dhaurahra, and Sitapur were among the seats with the highest turnout with 63.07%, 63.19%, and 61.17% polling, respectively. Kanpur remained at the bottom with 52.49%. Union minister Ajay Mishra Teni, whose son is an accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case, is eyeing a hat-trick from Kheri. Moreover, the high-profile seat of Kannauj, from where Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav trying his luck, recorded nearly 59% polling till 5 pm. Akbarpur recorded 57.28% polling, Bahraich 57.57%, Etawah 56.19%, Farrukhabad 58.90%, Hardoi 57.51%, Misrikh 55.65%, Shahjahanpur 53.08%, and Unnao 55.32%, according to EC data. Kanpur remained at the bottom of tally with lowest turnout. The SP, a key member of the opposition INDIA bloc, has fielded candidates on 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, and the Congress on two seats. In the previous election, the SP-BSP-RLD grand alliance had failed to win a single seat in this phase. Maharashtra In the fourth phase of Maharashtras Lok Sabha elections, eleven seats were up for contention, with an overall voter turnout of approximately 52.63%. Nandurbar saw the highest participation at 60.60%, while Pune, a metro and IT hub, had the lowest turnout at 44%. The INDIA alliance, representing the Opposition, released several purported videos on Monday, alleging that the ruling BJP engaged in vote-buying during the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections. Rohit Pawar, an NCP (SP) MLA, shared a series of videos on social media, accusing the ruling coalition of splurging money to secure victory against Opposition candidates in constituencies like Ahmednagar, Shirur, Beed, and Jalna.Pawar remarked, Envelopes containing cash were offered in exchange for votes in the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency. However, individuals with self-respect not only rejected the cash and associated materials but also returned them. Voting and self-respect go hand in hand. Pawar drew attention to a video where CCTV footage from the EVM strong room in Baramati mysteriously became blurry, fueling suspicions of deliberate tampering. In response, BJP minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, whose son contested the Ahmednagar seat against NCP (SP)s Nilesh Lanke, dismissed the accusations as unfounded. Telangana The Collector of Hyderabad district said on X that a case is registered in Malakpet Police Station against BJP candidate Madhavi Latha under different sections of the IPC and the Representation of the People Act. This follows an allegation that she checked the identity of burqa-clad women voters by asking them to show their faces. In Telanganas Kodangal, a polling officer welcomed people with roses at a wedding-themed poll station. Women-managed pink booths were seen across all constituencies. Prominent faces also stepped out to vote; former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, film actors Chiranjeevi, Allu Arjun and Junior NTR were among the prominent persons who voted. Polling was also held at the Secunderabad Cantonment assembly constituency. The bypoll was necessitated due to the death of sitting BRS MLA G Lasya Nanditha in a road accident few months ago. Odisha Lok Sabha and assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Odisha. Official said Dabugam assembly segment in Nabarangpur district reported the highest turnout of 71.30 per cent while only 47.90 per cent of electors cast their votes in Berhampur assembly seat in Ganjam district. Chief Electoral Officer N K Dhal said EVM glitches were detected in several places and the machines were replaced within 30 minutes. Dhal said there was brisk voting in Swabhiman Anchal, once a Maoist hotbed in Malkangiri district. The CEO said the Election Commission received reports of poll boycott from some places over local issues. A report from Ganjam district said at least two persons were injured in a clash between rival groups during polling in Chikiti assembly segment. Meanwhile, the EC suspended three polling officials and directed police to arrest two of them for serious dereliction of duty. So far, five polling officials have been suspended for misconduct during the election.

Phase-1 Polling in Odisha Concludes Peacefully

Bhubaneswar: Odisha successfully concluded the first phase of polling on Monday, with voting taking place in 28 assembly seats, including the Lok Sabha constituencies of Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Berhampur. By 8 pm, voter turnout of 64.24 % was recorded, informed Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). In Kotia of Koraput, enthusiastic polling was [] The post Phase-1 Polling in Odisha Concludes Peacefully appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Odisha: Theme-based model polling stations welcome voters in Berhampur Lok Sabha seat

Berhampur: Theme-based polling stations, modelled on train coaches to bus ticket counters, welcomed voters in Odishas Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency, which went to polls Monday, officials said. As many as 272 out of 1,131 polling stations in five assembly segments in Berhampur Lok Sabha constituency were modeled on various themes, they said. These polling stations []

The Prestige Battle For Berhampur Between Turncoats

In Odisha among the four Lok Sabha seats that have gone to polls today, the most keenly watched is Berhampur, part of chief minister Naveen Pattnaik's home district Ganjam, and BJP is trying to win the seat by putting up a heavy weight turn coat, Pradeep Panigrahi a former BJD minister who was once a close aide of Naveen pattanaik but now tasked to breach his fortress ... taking him on is Bhrugu Buxipatra, a former top BJP leader of Odisha and now BJD candidate. They both spoke exclusively to NDTV after casting their votes.

63% voter turnout recorded in Odisha till 5pm

Bhubaneswar: Around 63 per cent of 62.87 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 5pm in the four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly constituencies in Odisha Monday, officials said. Voting started at 7am in 7,303 polling stations in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi parliamentary constituencies along with 28 Assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these seats. []

Polls official arrested for dereliction of duty in Odisha

Polls official arrested for dereliction of duty in Odisha Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal on Monday suspended three polling officials and directed the police to arrest two of them for ''serious dereliction of duty''. Speaking to reporters, Dhal said, ''We have directed the Ganjam collector to suspend three presiding officers of three polling booths and arrest two of them for serious dereliction of duty.'' The presiding officer of polling booth number 193 in Gopalpur assembly constituency has been put under suspension while the presiding officers of booth numbers 27 and 163 in Chatrapur assembly segment in Ganjam district have been suspended and police were directed to arrest them, he said. Earlier in the day, the CEO suspended one polling official in Narla assembly constituency in Kalahandi district and another in Chikiti assembly seat in Ganjam district. So far, five polling officials have been suspended after they were engaged in senior misconduct during the election, officials said. The CEO and his team are continuously monitoring the election process through direct webcasting from the booths, they added. Voting started at 7 am in 7,303 polling stations in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituencies along with 28 assembly segments under these parliamentary seats. A total of 52.91 per cent of voters have exercised their franchise till 3 pm. The highest voter turnout of 58 per cent was registered in tribal-dominated Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat, followed by Nabarangpur (55.69), Koraput (53.08) and Berhampur (44.65), Dhal added.

Voter Turnout in Odisha Crosses 52.91% by 3 PM

Voter Turnout in Odisha Crosses 52.91% by 3 PM Around 52.91 per cent of the over 62.87 lakh voters have exercised their franchise till 3 pm in four Lok Sabha and 28 assembly constituencies in Odisha on Monday, officials said. Voting started at 7 am in 7,303 polling stations in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi parliamentary constituencies along with 28 assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these Lok Sabha seats. Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Odisha. Till 3 pm, 52.91cent voters have cast their votes, officials said, adding that the highest voter turnout was recorded in tribal-dominated Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat at 58 per cent followed by Nabarangpur with 55.69 per cent turnout, Koraput (53.08 per cent), and Berhampur (44.65per cent). Police said there was no report of any untoward incident in any polling booth. Chief Electoral Officer N K Dhal said that EVM glitches were found in several places and they were replaced within 30 minutes. He said as many as 65 Ballot Units (BU), 83 Control Units (CU) and 110 VVPATs were replaced so far and most of the replacements were done during the mock poll exercise before the start of real voting at 7 am. Dhal said there was a lot of enthusiasm among people. There was smooth voting in Swabhiman Anchal, earlier known as cut-off area, once a Maoist hotbed in Malkangiri district. ''People of Kotia are participating in the polls very enthusiastically,'' Dhal said. He said the model booths, women booths and the PWD booths were also operating smoothly. The CEO said the Election Commission has received reports of poll boycott from places over local issues and he has appealed to people to exercise their franchise. Koraput Lok Sabha seat Congress candidate Saptagiri Ulaka, BJP candidate from Berhampur LS seat Pradeep Panigrahy, BJP's Kalahandi LS candidate Malavika Keshari Deo, BJD Nabarangpur LS candidate Pradeep Majhi, BJP candidate Balabhadra Majhi, Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das and other senior leaders were among the early voters. A report from Ganjam district said that at least two persons were injured in a clash between rival groups during polling in Chikiti assembly segment. Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has suspended two polling officials for dereliction of duty. One polling official from Narla assembly constituency in Kalahandi district and another polling official from Chikiti assembly segment in Ganjam district have been suspended for dereliction of duty, the CEO said.

Odisha's politically sensitive Ganjam district witnesses sporadic conflicts on polling day

BHUBANESWAR: Politically sensitive Ganjam district witnessed incidents of sporadic clashes when polling commenced in Odisha in the fourth phase on Monday. Chief Electoral Officer, Nikunja Bihari Dhal said that there have been some minor skirmishes in the Chikiti area and the police were alerted. I have spoken with the Ganjam Collector and Berhampur SP and asked them to ensure polling continues smoothly in the Berhampur parliamentary constituency, especially Chikiti area, said Dhal. The CEO also requested the citizens of Berhampur, Gopalpur and Chhatrapur areas having sizeable urban populations to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise. Videos of poll-related minor violence in various places of Ganjam went viral on the day in which members of two groups can be seen clashing with each other. Group clashes among supporters of the ruling BJD and BJP were reported in areas like Maisanpur. Police said that they are looking into the matter and action will be initiated accordingly. Poll violence surfaces at Maisanpur area of Kalabada Panchayat in #Chikiti assembly segment in #Ganjam following clash among the supporters of #BJD and #BJP in the Village | #Odisha #OdishaGeneralElections2024 #ElectionsWithTNIE @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @Siba_TNIE pic.twitter.com/xglV9A41Tu TNIE Odisha (@XpressOdisha) May 13, 2024 In Ganjam district, voter turnout was low in Berhampur Lok Sabha seat till 1 pm. Polling in Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency was 42.67 per cent, Nabarangpur 42.65 per cent, Koraput 36.64 per cent and Berhampur 34.97 per cent. In another development, CEO Dhal informed that a polling officer identified as Tejanshu Shah was suspended for dereliction of duty. Shah was the fourth polling officer and suspended for dereliction of duty. He is posted as revenue assistant in sub-registrar's office in Dharamgarh. Another polling officer in Ganjam district has also been suspended, he said.

39.30% voter turnout recorded in Odisha till 1pm

Bhubaneswar: A voter turnout of 39.30 per cent was recorded till 1pm in four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly constituencies in Odisha Monday, officials said. Voting started at 7am in 7,303 polling stations in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi parliamentary constituencies along with 28 Assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these Lok Sabha seats. Lok []

We can clearly see that there is going to be change in government in Odisha: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

We can clearly see that there is going to be change in government in Odisha: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Union Minister and BJP candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised that a change in Odisha was undeniable as people were very upset with the present Biju Janata Dal regime. Voting is underway in Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Berhampur Lok Sabha constituencies in Odisha. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, Today, the first phase of Assembly elections have begun. People are full of enthusiasm. I want to appeal to the people of Odisha to come and cast their votes for change. In the last 24 years, people have been fed up with the current government due to its failure. We can clearly see that there is going to be a change in the government in Odisha. He said that from the information received from the four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Vidhan Sabha seats, the BJP is moving ahead by a big margin. He further said, There is no clean drinking water. There is no water for irrigation. There are no teachers in schools. In government hospitals, there are no doctors. One-third of the people are migrating outside in search of jobs. Women and tribals are distressed. After witnessing all the anger among people, we can say there would be a change in Odisha. In the Lok Sabha elections, 4 of Odisha's constituencies are voting in the fourth phase of the general elections. Voting is also taking place in 28 of the total 147 Assembly seats in the state today. As the voting for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election is underway in 96 constituencies across nine states and one Union Territory, a voter turnout of 24.87 per cent was reported by 11 am. In the 2019 Assembly election, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won 112 out of 146 seats, while Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won 23 seats and Congress won 9. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won the majority of seats in the state, while the BJP and the Congress brought up the rear. The BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished a close second at 8, and the Congress bagged just a lone seat. (ANI)

Odisha Records 23.28% Voter Turnout Till 11 AM In Phase 1

Bhubaneswar: Odisha recorded around 23.28 per cent voter turnout in the first four hours of polling in four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments on Monday. Voting started at 7 am in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi parliamentary constituencies along with 28 assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these Lok Sabha seats. Lok Sabha [] The post Odisha Records 23.28% Voter Turnout Till 11 AM In Phase 1 appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Steady voter turnout in Odisha as polling remains peaceful; 23.28% cast ballots till 11 am

Steady voter turnout in Odisha as polling remains peaceful; 23.28% cast ballots till 11 am Around 23.28 per cent voter turnout has been recorded in four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments in Odisha till 11 am on Monday, officials said. Long queues of people were seen in front of all the 7,303 booths where peaceful polling is underway, they said. Voting started at 7 am in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi parliamentary constituencies along with 28 assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these Lok Sabha seats. Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Odisha. Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal said that the voting was underway in all the 7,303 polling stations across peacefully in four Parliamentary Constituencies and 28 assembly segments under their jurisdiction with some reports of EVM glitches. Till 11 am around 23.28 per cent of the 62.87 lakh voters have exercised their franchise, officials said, adding that the highest voter turnout was recorded in tribal-dominated Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat at 25.38 per cent followed by Koraput (24.43 per cent), Nabarangpur (24.3 per cent) and Berhampur (18.99 per cent).. Police said there was no report of any untoward incident in any polling booth. The CEO said that EVM glitches were found in several places and they were replaced within 30 minutes. He said as many as 65 Ballot Units (BU), 83 Control Units (CU) and 110 VVPATs were replaced so far and most of the replacements were done during the mock poll exercise before starting of real voting at 7 am. Dhal said there was a lot of enthusiasm among the people. There was smooth voting in Swabhiman Anchal, earlier known as cut-off area, once a Maoist hotbed in Malkangiri district. He said people in large numbers also cast their votes in the Kotia area under the Pottangi assembly segment under Koraput Lok sabha seat. He said the model booths, women booths and the PWD booths were also operating smoothly.. The CEO said the Election Commission has received reports of poll boycott from places over local issues and he has appealed to people to exercise their franchise. Koraput Lok Sabha seat Congress candidate Saptagiri Ulaka, BJP candidate from Berhampur LS seat Pradeep Panigrahy, BJP's Kalahandi LS candidate Malavika Keshari Deo, BJD Nabarangpur LS candidate Pradeep Majhi, BJP candidate Balabhadra Majhi, Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, Congress leader Bhakta Charan Das and other senior leaders were among the early voters.

Odisha: Ragging slur on MKCG senior students

BERHAMPUR: Some first-year MBBS students were allegedly subjected to ragging by their seniors in a hostel on the campus of MKCG Medical College and Hospital here on Saturday night. The alleged ragging incident was a fallout over sharing of hostel rooms. Sources said each room in the gents hostels has the capacity to accommodate four students. But due to shortage of space, six first-year MBBS students were accommodated in the rooms of a gents hostel. On Saturday night, an argument broke out between some freshers and their seniors who were asked to share the rooms. Before the situation could turn ugly, Dean Santosh Mishra reached the hostel and pacified both the groups. To resolve the problem, he shifted some of the freshers to another hostel. However, the senior students allegedly passed lewd remarks at the first-year students. Though no complaint was lodged by any fresher in this connection, some parents placed the matter before the anti-ragging committee of the college on Sunday. Mishra said the administration would look into the matter on Monday. The faculty and other staff have been directed to keep a strict vigil on the students residing on the campus, he added. In February, a first-year student was allegedly ragged by his seniors in the medical college. Following the incident, the administration initiated action against four senior students.

Odisha: Community denies to carry bier over caste issue

BERHAMPUR: In a distressing incident, the dead body of a man was carried on a cycle-trolley through the streets of Boudh town after no one volunteered to shoulder the bier on Saturday citing marriage of his daughter into a different caste. The shameful incident took place near the Boudh collectorate and was captured on mobile phone, which subsequently went viral. The deceased, identified as Nilambar Meher (63) from Bapujinagar under Boudh Notified Area Council, passed away due to old age late on Friday night. His daughter, Sumi, who resides with him along with her two sons and a daughter, faced an ordeal as she attempted to arrange for her fathers final rites. She sought assistance from neighbours to carry her fathers body to the cremation ground, but everyone denied helping as she was married to someone from another caste. Shockingly, instead of extending support, she was allegedly asked to arrange a caste feast to garner the support of neighbours and caste members. As her repeated pleas were turned down, Sumi approached the police for assistance, only to be met with alleged indifference. Disheartened, she was advised by the authorities to lift the corpse herself if no caste members came forward by evening. Left with no choice, Sumi, along with her family, decided to transport her fathers body to the cremation ground using a trolley owned by her elder son. As of now, neither the police nor the administration responded to the incident.

Odisha enters the ballot phase on May 13 in high stake southern belt

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha is all set to enter the poll arena with voting for four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly constituencies to go underway in the high stake battlefield across the southern districts on Monday. Around 62.87 lakh voters, including 30.97 lakh male and 31.89 lakh female, will exercise their franchise at 7,303 booths in the first of the four phase elections in the state. Of them around 1.75 lakh are first timers. As many as 37 candidates are in fray from Koraput, Nabarangpur, Berhampur and Kalahandi Lok Sabha seats while 243 candidates are in the race from the 28 Assembly segments. The contest will be keen with both the ruling BJD and main rival BJP leaving no stone unturned to capture the seats while the Congress too is no pushover in this belt of the state. All eyes will be on the Berhampur Lok Sabha seat where BJP candidate Pradeep Panigrahy is locked in an intense fight with Bhrugu Baxipatra of the BJD. The seat has assumed importance as Panigrahy was once a close aide of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik till he was convicted and jailed in a job scam. After his release from jail, he turned a bitter critic of the chief minister and joined BJP which has fielded him from the seat. The BJD candidate Baxipatra was the state BJP vice-president and a major contender for the party ticket. With the party preferring to field Panigrahy instead, he joined BJD to be fielded by the ruling party from the seat. The BJP had virtually pressed its entire top leadership including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and national president JP Nadda, Defence minister Rajnath Singh and chief ministers of Assam, Tripura and Chhattisgarh Himanta Biswa Sarma, Biplab Deb and Vishnu Deo Sai respectively to campaign in the first phase polls. While the prime minister addressed huge public meetings at Berhampur and Nabarangpur on May 6, other leaders held separate public meetings in the area. Berhampur is in Ganjam, the home district of chief minister Naveen Patnaik and a defeat at the hands of the BJP will be a huge setback for the ruling party. The BJD campaign was led by Naveen and party leader VK Pandian. While the chief minister has already visited the area twice, Pandian has covered all the Assembly constituencies going to polls in the first phase polls. Besides BJD and BJP, the Congress is also in the fight in this phase as its only sitting MP from the state Saptagiri Ulaka from Koraput is locked in a triangular fight against Kaushalya Hikaka of the BJD and Kaliram Majhi of the BJP. However, Congress campaign in this round has suffered as no national leaders visited these constituencies. Besides Berhampur and Koraput, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi constituencies will also go to polls in this phase. BJP has fielded Malvika Deo, wife of Arka Keshari Deo, a former MP and erstwhile scion of Kalahandi royal family, while the BJD nominated Lambodar Nial, who had lost elections twice consecutively in 2014 and 2019 from Khariar Assembly segment. Congress has fielded Draupadi Majhi, a former municipality chairperson from the seat. The BJP had won the seat in 2019. The Nabarangpur LS seat is expected witness a triangular fight between former MP Pradeep Majhi of BJD, former MP Balabhadra Majhi from BJP and former MLA Bhujabal Majhi of Congress. The seat has been won by the BJD for the last two elections. Among the heavyweights in the fray for the Assembly in this round are president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee Sarat Pattanayak from Nuapada who is pitted against Planning and Convergence minister Rajendra Dholakia. Former leader of the Opposition Pradipta Nayak has entered the fray from Bhawanipatna seat while chairman of the Congress campaign committee Bhakta Charan Das is contesting from Narla in Kalahandi district. Former minister Dibyashankar Mishra is in the fray from Junagarh while senior Congress leader Tara Prasad Bahinipati is testing his luck from Jeypore seat. Biplab Patro, the son of former Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro, is also fighting from Digapahandi seat against Odia cine star and former Berampur MP Sidhant Mohapatra of BJP. The Election Commission has made elaborate arrangements for smooth and peaceful conduct of polling. With six districts including Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi and Nuapada having Left wing extremism history, the Election Commission has declared 17 per cent booths as critical. It has also made elaborated security arrangements deploying 104 CAPF companies in strategic locations to maintain law and order and ensure smooth voting. There will be webcasting in 60 per cent of the booths, chief electoral officer, Odisha, Nikunja Bihari Dhal said. While normal voting time is from 7 am to 6 pm, the duration has been reduced by two hours to 4 pm for multiple booths in Nuapada, Khariar, Lanjigarh, Narla, Umerkote, Jharigam, Nabarangpur and Dabugam Assembly constituencies due to their sensitive nature. The timing has also been kept from 7 am to 5 pm in some booths in Nuapada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Gajapati and Nuadapa districts. Dhal said provision of air ambulance has also been made at Koraput for any emergency situation.

Odisha: 9.23% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 9 AM

Odisha: 9.23% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 9 AM Odisha recorded around 9.23 per cent voter turnout in the first two hours of polling in four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments on Monday, officials said. Voting started at 7 am in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi parliamentary constituencies along with 28 assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these Lok Sabha seats. Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Odisha. Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal Monday said that the voting was underway in all the 7,303 polling stations across peacefully in four Parliamentary Constituencies and 28 assembly segments under their jurisdiction with some reports of EVM glitches. Till 9 am around 9.23 per cent of the over 62.87 lakh electors eligible voters have exercised their franchise, officials said. He said the highest EVM glitches were reported from the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat and they were addressed immediately. The CEO said the defects in EVMs were identified during the mock poll ahead of the voting and they were replaced within 30 minutes. ''During mock poll, we found several EVMs with glitches and they were subsequently replaced,'' Dhal said. Police said there was no report of any untoward incident in any polling booths.

104 companies of CAPF to guard as Odisha begins poll march

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha police deployed a whopping 17,000 police personnel ahead of the first phase of elections which comprises four Parliamentary constituencies comprising a large chunk of left wing extremism (LWE) affected districts. Of 7,298 polling stations designated for the fourth phase of polls on Monday, around 537 are affected by LWE. A total of 17,000 police personnel of different ranks have been deployed for the fourth phase of polls. The deployment includes 104 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and 66 platoons of State Armed Police (SAP), DGP, Arun Kumar Sarangi told mediapersons on Sunday. Out of eight districts going to polls on Monday, six districts - Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Nuapada and Kalahandi are affected by LWE. To ensure the elections passes off smoothly in these places, 138 parties of CAPF and 37 units of Special Operations Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) have been deployed to carry out area domination exercises and provide security at the polling booths and its staff, said Sarangi. ADG (Operations) Dev Datta Singh is camping in Kalahandi to monitor anti-Naxal operations during elections. To provide quick response in case of an emergency, Election Commission of India (ECI) has provided one dedicated helicopter to Odisha Police to airdrop the security personnel. Sources said officials of seven polling booths located in inaccessible areas of Nuapada were dispatched in the helicopter on Sunday. Voting will take place in Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Berhampur Lok Sabha seats and 28 Assembly constituencies spread across eight districts of Odisha in the fourth phase of polls on Monday. As some of the districts are in the bordering areas of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, police have set up 51 inter-state border check posts equipped with CCTV cameras and 50 intra-state border check posts to track movement of unscrupulous elements and transportation of illegal goods. Police have also identified 879 communication shadow locations in the state where there is no mobile phone connectivity. To remove this security vacuum, the security personnel have been equipped with VHF sets and motorcycles to ensure unhindered dissemination of information in case of any emergency during elections. Sources said electronic voting machine (EVM) strong rooms set up in 15 places are being guarded 24x7 by CAPF and SAP. About 29 Additional SP rank officers, 57 DSPs, 154 inspectors, 1,457 sub-inspectors/assistant sub-inspectors, 6,639 havildars and constables, 5,581 home guards and gram rakhis, 600 mobile parties, 210 flying squads and 195 static surveillance teams have been deployed to maintain law and order situation in fourth phase of the polls.

Polling begins in Odisha today, all eyes on Naveen Patnaik record

Odisha's elections kick off with 4 Lok Sabha seats and 28 assembly segments. Naveen Patnaik aims for a sixth term amidst BJD-BJP alliance talks. PM Modi rallies in Berhampur and Nabarangpur.

Youth bludgeoned to death in Berhampur

Digapahandi/Chikiti: The K Nuagaon police Sunday recovered the body of a man who was allegedly bludgeoned to death by unidentified attackers at Narayanpur village of Bhramarapur panchayat under Digapahandi block in Ganjam district, Saturday night, The mutilated body was recovered from the embankment of a canal adjacent to a road, police said while identifying the []

3 critical among 6 hurt in bee attack

Mohana: Six persons were injured, including three critically, after they came under attack by a swarm of tiger bees near Chhatabhari village under Mohana police limits in Gajapati district, Sunday. Sources said four members of a family who were travelling in a car from Berhampur to Mohana stopped near Chhatabhari village to answer a call []

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.

Voting begins for 4 LS seats, 28 assembly segments in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Polling for four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 assembly seats in Odisha began Monday, amid stringent security measures, officials said. Voting started at 7 am in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi parliamentary constituencies along with 28 assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these Lok Sabha seats. Polling will continue till 6 pm with adjustments []

Polls Underway for 4 Lok Sabha, 28 Assembly Seats in Odisha

Polls Underway for 4 Lok Sabha, 28 Assembly Seats in Odisha Polling for four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 assembly seats in Odisha began on Monday, amid stringent security measures, officials said. Voting started at 7 am in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi parliamentary constituencies along with 28 assembly segments within the jurisdiction of these Lok Sabha seats. Polling will continue till 6 pm with adjustments in certain remote and Maoist-hit areas, where voting will conclude earlier, the officials said. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) N B Dhal assured adequate arrangements for voters' convenience. Over 62.87 lakh electors are eligible to exercise their franchise across 7,303 polling booths, he said, adding that 37 candidates are vying for the four Lok Sabha seats and 243 contestants for 28 assembly segments. Dhal highlighted unique challenges, such as airdropping polling officials for six booths in the remote Nuapada district and using boats in other areas to ensure accessibility. To address potential threats, police have deployed 17,000 personnel, particularly focusing on areas vulnerable to Maoist activities. DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi emphasised on ensuring a peaceful voting environment.

Odisha to go to twin polls for four LS seats, 28 Assembly segments Monday

Bhubaneswar: The stage is set for simultaneous elections to four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments in Odisha Monday, with the EC making elaborate arrangements to ensure free and fair polling, officials said. Voting will be held in Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments under the jurisdiction of []

Tragedy in Odisha: Polling Official Killed in Road Accident, Family to Receive Rs 15 Lakh Ex-Gratia

Tragedy in Odisha: Polling Official Killed in Road Accident, Family to Receive Rs 15 Lakh Ex-Gratia Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) N B Dhal on Sunday said the next of kin of a government employee, who died during election duty, would get an ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh as per the ECI guidelines. Alekh Randhari, a class-IV employee of a government school, died on Saturday in a road accident near Swami Vivekananda Vidyamandir in Nabarangpur district while he was on the way to a polling station for Monday's elections. Meanwhile, a report from Ganjam district said that a bus carrying polling personnel and EVMs turned turtle near Pitatali in Ganjam district on Saturday. At least 14 polling staff along with EVM machines were being transported to Kharriaguda in Chikiti assembly segments in the district when the bus turned turtle. SP (Berhampur) Sarthak Sarangi said all the polling personnel were safe. The EVMs which they were carrying are also in the safe. The polling staff were going to their allotted booths at Khariaguda in another vehicle, he said. The accident took place as the driver failed to negotiate a curve on the way, police suspected.

Gang-rape case: 6th accused nabbed in Odisha

BERHAMPUR: The total number of arrests in connection with the gang-rape incident that took place under Baidyanathpur police limits in Berhampur city, reached six with the arrest of another accused on Friday. Identified as Omkar Jena (21) of Bhutasarasing village under Purusottampur police limits, the accused was staying in Berhampur and pursuing D Pharm course but had fled the place the same night. The girl, a Class XII student of a private college in Berhampur was waiting for her father at Hillpatana when her friend, who is known to her, invited her to his house with an assurance to call her father to pick her up. However, after reaching the house, the girl realised that it was a bachelors mess. She was offered a soft drink laced with sedatives and after she lost her senses, five to six youths allegedly assaulted her sexually taking turns, the SP said. On Wednesday, Baidanathpur police had arrested five youths for allegedly gang-raping a Class XII girl student after spiking her drink. SP Sarthak Sarangi said the incident took place on May 3 but the rape survivors parents lodged a complaint with police on May 5. Police identified the five accused hailing from different places in Ganjam. All the five are students in the age group of 19-26 years - two engineering, as many BCA and one pharmacy. On Thursday, Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha had staged a sit-in outside the SP office, alleging that police had let go some leaders of a political party who were involved in the incident. They called off the stir after the SP assured that stern action will be taken against those involved in the incident. Meanwhile, police gathered that Omkar, who was staying in the mess was absconding since the fateful night. Police searched for him and located him in Bargarh district by tracking his mobile team. On Friday, a team of Baidyanathpur police reached Bargarh and with the help of local police nabbed Omkar from Luhurachati under Sohela police limits. He was brought to Berhampur and forwarded to court on Saturday. Police said further investigation is on and some more are likely to be arrested in connection with the gang-rape.

Odisha concludes campaigning for first phase of Lok Sabha elections

BHUBANESWAR: Campaigning for first phase elections in Odisha ended on Saturday. At least four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly segments under them will go to polls in the phase on May 13. Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka, BJD candidate from Nabarangpur Pradeep Majhi, BJP MP candidate Pradeep Panigrahy and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati are among the 37 Lok Sabha and 243 Assembly nominees whose fate will be decided in the phase. Dispersal of polling parties has begun and all arrangements are in place for smooth and inclusive voting in the first phase, chief electoral officer (CEO) Nikunja Bihari Dhal said. He said a total of 62.87 lakh voters, including 30.97 lakh males and 31.89 lakh females will exercise their franchise at 7,303 polling booths. Female voters outnumber their male counterparts in the phase, the CEO said. He added Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Berhampur Lok Sabha constituencies that will go to polls in the first phase are traditionally areas where voting percentage has been higher in the past. To ensure a positive and fulfilling electoral experience for voters we have established all-women, all-differently-abled and all-young persons polling stations. Around 17 per cent of the poling stations will be model polling stations, the CEO said. A total of 1,264 polling stations, amounting to around 17 per cent of the total number of booths, in the first phase are critical. Some of the polling stations are located in areas that have a history of left wing extremism. Keeping this in view, the CEO said deployment of 104 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) including 31 CRPF companies, 39 BSF and 27 of armed police force of other states has been initiated. Around 25 companies will be deployed in Malkangiri, 18 in Koraput, 17 in Kalahandi, 10 each in Nuapada and Ganjam, 8 in Rayagada and 4 in Gajapati. While the usual time of voting is 7 am to 7 pm, it has been changed in some places in view of the situation, he said. Given all the measures are in place, we are confident that the polling process will be smooth and peaceful in all the four Lok Sabha constituencies and their Assembly segments in the first phase, Dhal said. Stage set 62.87 lakh voters including 30.97 lakh males and 31.89 lakh females will exercise their franchise at 7,303 polling booths Female voters outnumber their male counterparts 1,264 polling stations or around 17 pc of the total number of booths, in the first phase are critical

ASHA axed for violating election code of conduct

BERHAMPUR: District election officer, Boudh J Sonal on Friday placed an ASHA under suspension for allegedly participating in a political rally in violation of the model code of conduct put in place by the Election Commission. The ASHA, Sabita Pradhan works at the Bausuni health centre. The matter came to the fore after photos and videos of Sabita attending an election rally went viral on social media. The district collector-cum-election officer took disciplinary action against Sabita after the charges levelled against her were proved to be true. The district election officer had earlier initiated similar action against three teachers and a clerk for allegedly violating the election code of conduct. As per the ECI order and the Odisha Government Servants Conduct Rules 1959, no government servant shall be a member of or be otherwise associated with any political or communal organisation which takes part in politics or communal activities, nor shall he/she take part or subscribe in or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.

Scared of losing refugee status, Odisha's Chandragiri Tibetans in a fix

BERHAMPUR: The Tibetan refugees who have made Chandragiri in Gajapati district their home since the past several decades are in two minds - to vote or not, in the ensuing elections. As per sources, these Tibetans here had registered their names in the voters list and also received voter ID cards. This will be the first time they are eligible to cast their votes. However, the fear of losing their refugee status after voting compels them to give it a second thought. As many as 2,700 Tibetans are currently residing in five camps at Chandragiri, Labarsing, Tikillipadar, Jirang and Mahendragarh areas. Their ancestors had settled down in Chandragiri, also called as Mini Tibet, back in 1963 after receiving support from the legendary leader Biju Patnaik. The state government had then given each family a house besides five acre land to pursue agriculture activities. Later in 2013, the Union government announced to grant Indian citizenship to the Tibetans born in India after January 26, 1950 and before July 1, 1987. In 2023, the state government decided to include them in the beneficiaries list to avail old age pension and ration card. And as per the directive of the then collector Lingaraj Panda, 303 elderly Tibetans were issued old age pension besides 237 families given ration cards. As such, these Tibetan refugees have their own administrative office in Phuntsokling where two persons from each camp have been nominated to represent their respective areas. Speaking to The New Indian Express, a Tibetan representative Pema Gyalop said he is waiting for the decision of their leaders at Dharamshala in Uttarakhand to decide whether to take part in voting or not. Meanwhile, another Tibetan refugee Guruji Khempo said it was entirely up to ones independent decision whether to avail the rights as mandated under the Indian Law. On the other hand, some refugees said they are happy for being eligible to vote and having received some identity but asserted their individuality as Tibetans must not be affected. Several Tibetans in India have not taken up their new right to vote and the self-proclaimed Tibetan government in-exile, which has its own elections for Tibetans in India, has taken a neutral stance on the voting topic. Hence it is up to the individual whether he wants to vote or not, said some other refugees. A senior official, on condition of anonymity, said the Odisha government has given Tibetan refugees here several facilities including voter ID and ration card but they cannot be forced to vote. Notably, 5T chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian had visited these Tibetan settlements in February to review the development activities in the areas.

Vigil up in Berhampur, Koraput & Nabarangpur

Campaigning ends for first phase polls in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Campaigning for Odishas four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly seats, slated for polling May 13, came to an end on Saturday with a slew of prominent leaders from major political parties embarking on rapid-fire tours of constituencies in southern and western parts of the state. Polling is scheduled for Nabarangpur, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Berhampur []

Telangana Polls: Farmers' Issues Take Center Stage in Election Campaigns

HYDERABAD: With Rythu Bharosa (previously known as Rythu Bandhu), the financial assistance provided to farmers before the start of agriculture season, being remitted and Rabi season by and large passing off without much difficulty on power and irrigation fronts, the Congress has been pinning hopes heavily on the largest voting community of farmers and farm labour. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy prioritised the release of Rythu Bharosa initially to small and marginal farmers and recently farmers with more than five acres also received the financial assistance. The Congress is in upbeat mood with the feedback that the farmers were happy over input subsidies for equipment like tractors, drip irrigation and seeds and pesticides that were in vogue earlier are brought back again. This, they say, will benefit the large number of small and marginal farmers who form the bulk of the farming community. They however insist that the Chief Minister as promised earlier should ensure that the assistance is given only to the needy and real farmers who are into cultivation. Payment should not be done to barren lands and hillocks as had happened earlier and some even suggest an upper limit to the acreage for paying the input dole. K. Pratap (67), a farmer from Berhampur village of Talamadugu mandal of Adilabad district, bats for limiting Rythu Bandhu to 10 acres. He said the government should give its share of a four percent interest subsidy on farm loans as per NABARD scheme. I am hopeful the present government will honour the August 15 deadline for `2 lakh loan waiver. The input subsidy on farm necessities should be restarted again. People are saving electricity to limit their consumption to the 200 units that they can avail for free now. On renewing the subsidy facilities on inputs, M. Shekhar, a farmer with three acres from Arutla village of Ranga Reddy district, says, It will benefit small farmers like me if subsidy is given for tomato boxes, mango plants which were being given earlier. My paddy crop dried up. I will grow tomatoes now. Subsidies for drip irrigation equipment will benefit. As a MGNREGS worker himself, he feels that the government has to time the work not to affect the paddy sowing or cutting season. He opines the scheme supplements his income during the summer season. The free bus facility for women is a welcome step and is helpful. I had received BC Bandhu earlier and hence voted for the previous government. I am hoping to get an Indiramma house sanctioned now and will vote accordingly in the parliament polls. His fellow villager K. Shekhar Reddy, while largely agreeing with him, does not hope the present state government will increase the Rythu Bandhu amount to the promised Rs 7,500 per acre. He is also not hopeful of the launch of crop insurance schemes and counts the Central governments Ayushman Bharat and Fasal Bima Yojana as good schemes and would influence his voting choice in the Lok Sabha elections. BJP gained some brownie points following the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set up the turmeric board in the State before the 2023 assembly polls. Crediting the Centres decision to set up the Turmeric Board for getting higher prices for the crop, T. Rajeshwar (57) from Donkal village of Morthad mandal of Nizamabad district, said, We did not get proper price for the past 10 years and had fetched only Rs 6,000 to 7,000 per quintal. But this year, we got more than `13,000 to `15,000. This situation will favour the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. The 10 years of the BRS government was corruption-ridden. As one of the 180 farmers, who had filed nominations during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, seeking the board, he said, I feel politicians agree to peoples demands depending on their reading of the situation. As a farmer with eight acres of land, I got Rythu Bandhu on Wednesday. G. Ravinder Reddy, a farmer from Choppadandi mandal of Karimnagar district, opines power situation is not a problem now as all the crops have been cut. The farmer whose land is irrigated by water from the SRSP (Sriram Sagar Project) feels loan waiver is something that the farmers are looking forward to. Whether the incumbent government would waive the pending loan accrued from the previous regime or not has to be seen. I have rescheduled my Rs 2 lakh loan. Batting for keeping the MSP in line with their increased input costs, V. Ramakrishna, a farmer from Sirisedu village in Ellanthakunta village of Karimnagar district, opined that their farm produce prices have not kept pace with the costs. The present government, he feels, has started well by giving 30,000 jobs to youth. It is children of farmers like me who come and struggle in the hostels in Hyderabad hoping for new job notifications. Many farmers are struggling to help their wards in the process.

BJP makes an audacious attempt to penetrate BJDs fortress in the first phase of polling in Odisha

Odisha CMs former aide now the BJP candidate in Berhampur while the BJD nominee recently switched loyalties from the BJP; polling for four Lok Sabha and 28 Assembly seats, most in southern Odisha, on May 13

Dont vote for criminals, says Naveen Patnaik

BHUBANESWAR/BERHAMPUR: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis second visit to Odisha on Friday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a marathon campaign for party candidates in Ganjam and Kandhamal districts and called upon people not to vote for criminals. Stating the Opposition political parties have fielded corrupt persons, the chief minister urged the people not to extend support to such candidates in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Vote for good candidates and not a thief, he said while asserting criminals should not be elected. He was targeting BJP candidate from Berhampur Pradeep Panigrahy. Panigrahy, the sitting MLA from Gopalpur was elected on a BJD ticket in 2019. He was expelled from the party after he was arrested in a job scam case and other irregularities. The BJD has fielded Bikram Panda, the Berhampur MLA, from the seat. Coming down heavily on Opposition political parties at Aska, the chief minister urged the people to bless for BJD candidates to accelerate the pace of development in the state. He also highlighted successful implementation of various welfare schemes by the state government for the benefit of people. The chief minister addressed election meetings at Gopalpur, Aska and Phulbani accompanied by 5T chairman and BJDs lead campaigner VK Pandian. The chief minister urged the people at Kanisi in Gopalpur segment not to vote for unscrupulous persons. The chief minister also addressed a massive gathering at Kandhamal and alleged that leaders of the Opposition political parties are shedding crocodile tears for the people. They are telling lies and you should not vote for them, he said and urged them to bless BJD candidates. Vote for Jodi Sankha - one for MP and another for MLA candidate, he added. He asked the people whether the welfare schemes launched by the state government including the BSKY, Mission Shakti, Mamata, LAccMI bus service and transformation of schools are good. People gathered at the meeting gave assent with a loud yes.

BJDs strike rate will be 90% in first phase polls says VK Pandian

BHUBANESWAR: With only three days remaining for the first phase polls in Odisha scheduled on May 13, BJDs chief election strategist VK Pandian on Thursday asserted that the party will sweep the polls with more than 90 per cent strike rate. Four LS seats, Berhampur, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and 28 Assembly seats will go to polls in this phase. All eyes are on Berhampur Lok Sabha seat and seven Assembly constituencies in it as it is the home district of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Candidature of Pradeep Panigrahy from the seat has also added to its importance. Panigrahy is pitted against Bhrugu Baxipatra of the BJD in this seat. Pandian urged people to convert the 90 per cent strike rate to 100 per cent. Your blessings and hard work can make this 100 per cent, he said. Take the message of development of the chief minister to every corner and make the BJD candidates win the polls, he added. Ninety per cent strike rate predicted by Pandian will come to 25 out of the 28 Assembly seats. In the 2019 elections, of the four LS seats, BJD had won two, Berhampur and Nabarangpur, while BJP had won the Kalahandi seat and Koraput had gone to Congress. Out of the 28 Assembly seats, BJD had won 20, BJP four, Congress three and Independent one. Under Berhampur, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Berhampur parliamentary constituencies, the BJD had won five Assembly seats each.

Odisha: TPSODL meets highest-ever peak demand of 760 MW

BERHAMPUR: Tata Power Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) has once again demonstrated its commitment to providing reliable power supply to the region by successfully meeting a peak summer demand of 760 MW on May 5, 2024. This marks a significant increase from last years peak demand of 668 MW recorded in April 2023, a 13.77 per cent rise in demand. Berhampur city, a key area served by TPSODL, also experienced a substantial surge in peak demand, reaching 171 MW on the same day compared to the previous years peak demand of 138 MW recorded on April 17, 2023, a rapid surge of 23.91 per cent. With temperature exceeding 43 degrees celsius underscores the critical importance of a robust and reliable power infrastructure to meet the needs of the 22 lakh consumers during such challenging conditions. At TPSODL, we are committed to meeting the evolving energy needs of our region, especially during peak demand periods like the summer months, said TPSODL CEO Amit Kumar Garg. As TPSODL continues to uphold its commitment to providing reliable power supply to the region, it remains dedicated to exploring innovative solutions and investing in technology to meet the growing energy demands of southern Odisha, Garg added.

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

Naveen urges people to vote for good candidates

Berhampur: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday urged voters not to support dishonest and unscrupulous candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state. Addressing three election rallies in Gopalpur, Aska, and Phulbani under Berhampur, Aska, and Kandhamal Lok Sabha seats, where polling is scheduled for May 13, Patnaik interacted with the []

Odisha CM Patnaik urges people to vote for good candidates

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday urged voters not to support dishonest and unscrupulous candidates in the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state. Addressing three election rallies in Gopalpur, Aska, and Phulbani under Berhampur, Aska, and Kandhamal Lok Sabha seats, where polling is scheduled for May 13, Patnaik interacted with 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 .

Opposition Shedding Crocodile Tears: Odisha CM Naveen at Aska

Aska: Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal President Naveen Patnaik on Thursday made a scathing attack on opposition while addressing a massive election meeting in Aska Parliamentary constituency in Ganjam district. After campaigning for his candidates in Berhampur Lok Sabha segment, the BJD supremo then attended a huge public meeting in Aska. The [] The post Opposition Shedding Crocodile Tears: Odisha CM Naveen at Aska appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

BJD Supremo Naveen, 5T Chairman Pandian Slam Opposition At Kanisi Public Meeting

Berhampur: Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik today addressed a huge public gathering at Kanisi under Gopalpur Constituency in Berhampur Lok Sabha segment. Naveen reached at Reangeilunda airstrip and went to Kanisi where thousands of people welcomed him with flowers. He appealed the people to bless him and the BJD party candidates [] The post BJD Supremo Naveen, 5T Chairman Pandian Slam Opposition At Kanisi Public Meeting appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Non-supply of TB medicines hits patients in Rayagada, Ganjam districts

BERHAMPUR: Non-supply of medicines for treatment of tuberculosis for the last over a month in Ganjam and Rayagada districts have put the patients in a tough situation. Sources said the Centre, under its Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan scheme, supplies TB medicines to all states under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). However, the supply from the Centre has stopped since the last almost three months reportedly due to unavailability of medicines. As per information, vital medicines for the disease include two months administration of Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide followed by two months of three other drugs. However, their non-supply have forced many patients to skip their doses which medical practitioners say, is strongly discouraged. The situation is rather grim in Rayagada district with even the stock getting exhausted at the district headquarters hospital (DHH). The district had reported around 698 cases of TB in the last six months of which 152 patients are undergoing treatment at the DHH. Family members of the patients complained that while Asha workers do not have the requisite medicines, even local clinics and medicine shops have been restricted for selling these medicines owing to restriction imposed by the government. As a result, condition of many patients is deteriorating. Chief district medical officer Dr Lalmohan Routray said the state government is unable to supply the TB medicines due to the scarcity. We had apprised about the situation to the higher authorities and they advised us to procure the medicines from other districts. But since the demand is high, the medicines are almost always unavailable, he said. Meanwhile in Ganjam, district tuberculosis officer Dr Abani Kumar Patra said the district presently has sufficient stock for a month. But if the medicines dont reach the patients, it can be a problem, he said. The death rate due to TB has reduced from 353 in 2021 to 319 in 2022 and 224 in 2023. Unhygienic conditions, migration and weak immunity are the prime reasons for spread of the disease. Migrant workers, particularly, are potential carriers of TB apart from AIDS. We have appointed 42 TB survivors to inform and sensitise people of the disease, ways to prevent it and ensure timely administration of medicines, Dr Patra informed. Incidentally, Ganjam has recorded a rise in TB cases in the last few years. Official sources said while 5,451 TB cases were detected in 2021, the number went up to 6,466 in 2022 and 6,698 in 2023. Similar is the case with AIDS.

Ganjam: Class XII girl drugged and gang-raped, five youths held

BERHAMPUR: Baidanathpur police on Wednesday arrested five youths for allegedly gang-raping a Class XII girl student after spiking her drink in Ganjam district on May 3. Police identified the accused as Rutun Das (22), Rudra Jena (21), Abhilash Polai (19), Akash Nayak (26) and Sambit Panigrahi (21), all hailing from different places in Ganjam. All the five accused are students - two engineering, as many BCA and one pharmacy. Berhampur SP Sarthak Sarangi said the shocking incident took place on May 3 but the rape survivors parents lodged a complaint with police on May 5. According to the complaint, the girl, a Class XII student of a private college in Berhampur, had gone to a friends house for some work in the evening. After meeting her friend, she was waiting for her father at Hillpatana when Rutun, who is known to her, arrived on the spot. He invited her to his house at Bramhanagar 2nd lane with an assurance to call her father to pick her up. When the girl reached Rutuns room, she realised that it was a mess for bachelors. But the accused claimed that he was staying with his mother. He offered her a soft drink laced with sedatives and left the room on the pretext of calling his mother. Subsequently, she lost control of her senses and five to six youths allegedly assaulted her sexually. The SP said the accused took turns to rape her till 10 pm in the night. Though the girl was awake, she was unable to move due to the effects of the sedative-laced drink. By the time, she regained her senses, Rutun reportedly threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter to anyone. Later, Rutun and one of his friends took the girl on a motorcycle and dropped her at Bijipur. On reaching home, the girl narrated her ordeal to her parents. However, her parents lodged a complaint with police after two days. Basing on the complaint, police registered a case and sent the girl for medical examination. As part of the investigation, a police team reached the crime scene and detained eight youths. During interrogation, five of them confessed to their crime. They were subsequently arrested and produced in court. The victims condition is stable and her statement has been recorded before the magistrate. Investigation is underway to ascertain if anyone else is involved in the crime, Sarangi added.

Odisha: Congmen on their own over funds shortage

BHUBANESWAR: Even as campaigning has gathered with only five days left for first phase polls in the state, Congress candidates have been left to fend for themselves except at some seats where heavyweights or their relatives are in fray. Out of the four Lok Sabha constituencies which will go to polls on May 13 in the first phase, Congress has a sitting MP Saptagiri Ulaka at Koraput while senior leader Bhujabal Majhi is in the fray from Nabarangpur. Droupadi Majhi and Rashmi Ranjan Mishra are in the fray from Kalahandi and Berhampur seats respectively. Congress campaigning suffered since the beginning due to shortage of funds and except Koraput, the prospects of nominees in other constituencies seem bleak. Categorisation of seats into A, B and C categories has also accentuated the difficulties faced by the candidates. The party was counting on at least two Lok Sabha seats, Koraput and Nabarangpur in the first phase while it had also a fighting chance in Kalahandi. Sources said candidates of three seats were provided minimum funds and the amount was inadequate in the face of the high-profile campaign launched by both BJD and BJP. A senior leader of the party told The New Indian Express candidates have been asked to fend for themselves. Whatever funding was done was inadequate, he said adding only candidates with victory prospects were funded. He said this has affected the prospects of the party in Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituency and the Assembly seats within it. There is also shortage of campaign materials including flags, banners and booklets of party manifesto. Congress flags and banners are missing in the constituencies. Besides, managing the party workers without funds is quite difficult, he added. Star campaigners of the party have also given the state a miss in the campaign for phase one. Former president Rahul Gandhi had addressed an election meeting at Salipur on April 28, but his Rayagada rally scheduled on May 3 was cancelled. Visit of other star campaigners including party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi is also yet to be finalised. Priyanka was expected to visit Nabarangpur but the date is yet to be finalised. Heavyweight state leaders are also bogged down in their own constituencies. While president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Sarat Pattanayak has entered the fray from Nuapada Assembly seat, the campaign committee chairman Bhakta Charan Das is seeking election from Narla in Kalahandi district. Sources in the party, however, maintained that attempts are being made to finalise the dates for visit of Rahul, Priyanka and other senior leaders to Odisha.

Give BJP chance in Odisha and see the change: Rajnath

BHAWANIPATNA/BERHAMPUR: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday appealed people of the state to give BJP a chance and see the transformation the party brings to the state. Addressing a massive rally at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters town of Kalahandi, Singh hit out at Congress and BJD for keeping Odisha poor and backward. Congress ruled the the country for 55 years and in every election, begged for votes to eradicate poverty. Till few years back, Kalahandi was infamous for poverty and hunger. After visiting Kalahandi, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had said out of every one rupee spent only 15 paisa reached people in the district. This region was used for poverty tourism and Congress could not remove poverty. In stark contrast, 25 crore people of the country could come out of poverty in the last 10 years of the Narendra Modi government at Centre, he said. Asserting that those living below poverty line will be lifted out in the next five years, Singh said unlike other parties BJP fulfilled whatever promises it made to people. Coming down on the BJD government for depriving people of Ayushman Bharat, Singh said BJP will implement the scheme immediately after coming to power in the state. All those aged above 70 years will be automatically covered under the scheme. He said Viksit Bharat is not possible without development of all regions of Odisha. You have already tested BJD and have seen what they have done for you. Give a chance to BJP and the see what the party is doing for the state, the minister said. Requesting the voters of Kalahandi Parliamentary constituency to elect candidate Malavika Keshari Deo with a thumping majority to strengthen the prime minister, Singh said removal of Article 370, construction of Ram Mandir and abolition of triple talaq were possible due to absolute majority of BJP in Lok Sabha. Former chief minister of Tripura, Biplab Deb expressed his anguish over Odisha still being poor despite its rich natural resources. Alleging large-scale corruption is the reason behind tardy progress of the state, he said such things happen when bureaucrats become de facto rulers. People of Odisha will no longer tolerate it, he added. Pradip Kumar Naik, Sudhir Ranjan Pattjoshi , Manoj Meher, Ramesh Majhi and Anirudha Pradhan, all MLA candidates of the party in the district also spoke. In another public meeting at Rayagada, Singh said people in Odisha want BJP to win all 21 Lok Sabha seats. He slammed the BJD for alleged misgovernance in the state. The defence minister said he has visited Odisha several times in the past but this time he is witnessing a changed atmosphere. When we ask people about the expected election result, they say BJP will win all the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state, said Singh.

Five engineering, pharmacy students arrested for raping minor girl in Odishas Ganjam district

Berhampur: Five engineering and pharmacy students have been arrested for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in Odishas Ganjam district, police said Wednesday. The incident took place in Baidyanathpur police station area in Berhampur town May 3 after one of the accused, who was an acquaintance of the girl, took her to his house upon finding []

9 Maoist cadres, all hailing from Chhattisgarh, surrender before Odisha police

Bhubaneswar: Nine Maoist activists, including two women cadres hailing from Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday laid down their arms before the Odisha police. According to the police, the rebels who surrendered before Inspector General of Police (IGP- (Southern Range), Jayanarayan Pankaj at Boudh, belong to Muler village of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. The two women Maoists, identified as Yogi Madvi alias Jyoti and Pozze Madvi, had joined the Maoist group in 2019 and she was the personal security guard of Sila alias Nagmani who is an active leader of 8th company of KKBN division in Boudh district. Similarly, Pozze had joined the Maoists in 2020 and along with Jyoti she came in contact with Vikesh alias Jagdish DVM Commander of the 8th company of the KKBN division. The other seven Maoists, who have surrendered, were working as party members in the Maoist organisation. Samaya Madkam alias Naresh, a Divisional Committee Member (DCM) of KKBN Division of the Maoists had surrendered in Odisha on Tuesday. At the time of surrender, Samaya was the Commander of 1st platoon in 8th Company of the division. He surrendered before I.G of Police, Southern Range, Berhampur and Kandhamal superintendent of police. Senior officials informed that Samaya is involved in a series of offences and violent activities against the state. At least 17 cases are registered against him in Kandhamal, Boudh and Nuapada districts. It is suspected that more cases might have been registered against him in the neighbouring Chhattisgarh. The officials further said that Samaya was forced to surrender due to increase in regular Anti-Maoist operations in interior areas of Kandhamal and multiple exchanges of fire in Boudh and Kandhamal districts.

TPSODL Successfully Meets Peak Summer Demand Of 760 MW

Berhampur: TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) has once again demonstrated its commitment to providing reliable power supply to the region, by successfully meeting a peak summer demand of 760 MW on May 05, 2024. This marks a significant increase from last years peak demand of 668 MW recorded in April 2023, showcasing a remarkable [] The post TPSODL Successfully Meets Peak Summer Demand Of 760 MW appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Odisha horror! Plus 2 girl student drugged and gang raped, 8 detained

Berhampur: In a horrific incident, a minor girl was allegedly gang-raped by her friends after offering her spiked cold drink in Odishas Berhampur. As per the allegations, around three days ago, the girl had gone to the home of one of her friends where she was drugged and gang raped by the eight accused. [] The post Odisha horror! Plus 2 girl student drugged and gang raped, 8 detained appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Aska BJD MLA faces angry villagers during campaign

BERHAMPUR: Tension flared during campaigning in the Aska Assembly segment as sitting BJD MLA Manjula Swain, seeking re-election, faced angry residents of Badagada under Sidhanai panchayat on Monday. The villagers, grappling with acute water scarcity, intercepted Swain, demanding immediate action to address their long-standing issue. Despite assurances from Swain to resolve the water crisis, tension remained high, with residents of Alipur also threatening to boycott the upcoming polls if their water woes remained unaddressed before the election on May 20. With just 12 days remaining until the twin elections, campaign activities have intensified across various constituencies in Ganjam district. The area is dotted with moving vehicles, rallies, and posters and leaflets soliciting votes. Contestants and their supporters are actively engaging with voters, often resorting to traditional gestures of touching feet while canvassing for support. However, in some areas, residents have begun to scrutinise candidates more closely, demanding answers to pressing local issues and challenges.

Maoist leader with 17 cases surrenders in Kandhamal

BERHAMPUR/PHULBANI: A Maoist commander Samaya Madkam (29) surrendered before the police in Kandhamal district on Tuesday, marking a crucial breakthrough in efforts to curb Maoist insurgency in the region. Madkam, a key figure in the first platoon of the 8th Company of KKBN (Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh) Division, had been involved in Maoist activities since October 2005. Madkams surrender was facilitated by the appeal of Odishas Surrender & Rehabilitation policy, coupled with the allure of developmental initiatives in the state, said IG of Police, Southern Range, Jai Narayan Pankaj, and Kandhamal SP Suvendu Kumar Patra. Hailing from Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, Madkam faces at least 17 cases in Kandhamal, Boudh, and Nuapada districts, with more in Chhattisgarh. The increased frequency of anti-Maoist operations in the interior areas of Kandhamal, along with multiple exchanges of fire in Boudh and Kandhamal districts, contributed to Madkams decision to surrender. The establishment of new security force camps in Kandhamals rugged terrain hindered Maoist movements, prompting disillusionment among their ranks, said Pankaj adding, Madkams disapproval of extorting money from cannabis traffickers and peddlers to sustain Maoist activities further fuelled his decision to leave the party. Additionally, he was disillusioned by the disruption of polling processes and targeting of election personnel during past elections, the officer further stated.

BJP unleashes top guns to breach BJD fort these elections

BHUBANESWAR: Having failed to make a significant headway in the form of electoral gains in Odisha in the last two occasions despite the Modi wave sweeping the country, the BJP is not leaving anything to chance in its efforts to breach the BJD citadel this time. The party has turned its special focus on the Odisha Assembly election besides the Lok Sabha push as is evident from the manner in which the party has lined up all its top guns to take on the ruling BJD which has been in power for a record five terms consecutively, leaving no breathing space for the Opposition. With the bonhomie between the two parties over after the failed alliance talks, the BJP is going all guns blazing on the regional party, not even sparing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Starting from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is holding back to back election rallies in the state, to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party national president JP Nadda - all have turned unsparing in their criticism of Naveen who till recently was one of their most trusted ally. The announcement of June 10 as the date of formation of BJP government by the prime minister and his extending invitation to the people of the state to be part of the oath taking ceremony is seen as a clear strategy to unnerve the BJD. Besides the intensive campaign tour of the prime minister, the party has pressed senior cabinet ministers into the heat of Odisha polls. Apart from Shah and Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have already visited the state and taken part in the party campaign. Rajnath, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Assam Chief Minister Hemant Biswa Sharma, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will be in Odisha on May 8 and 9 to campaign for the party in different constituencies that will go to polls in the states first phase on May 13. According to party insiders, the BJP leadership is all set to deploy its top leaders and vote-catchers across constituencies during all the phases to boost the campaign and invigorate the cadres and organisation to take on the BJD with all their might. The blitzkrieg by the national leaders will not only give power to the local organisation but also sway voters into their fold. It will help intensify the anti-incumbency against the BJD on the ground, they said. The prime ministers visit to Berhampur on Monday was, in fact, notable for two things. This is the second time after Chhattisgarh Assembly election that Modi announced date for government formation in a state during campaigning. He had prophesied government formation in the neighbouring state much to the disbelief of many political pundits who predicted return of the Congress government. The other being - the PM and the national president choosing Berhampur, which comes under Ganjam the home district of Naveen. Modis announcement of BJP government formation from the chief ministers turf is seen as a huge challenge thrown by the saffron party to the BJD. With the PM visiting the state again on May 10 to hold a roadshow in the state capital of Bhubaneswar and address election rally in western Odisha town of Balangir the next day, the intent is clear. Moreover, according to sources, the RSS has also pushed its cadre base in the state to work hard for BJP to motivate and mobilise voters on the ground. During the last two elections the RSS and its affiliates had not been so proactive as they are this time, sources said.

BJP cant get 10 percent votes if it names CM face: VK Pandian

BHUBANESWAR: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that a BJP government will take oath on June 10 during a public meeting at Berhampur, 5T chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian asked the saffron party to first announce its chief minister face. Launching a marathon campaign at several places of Ganjam district, Pandian said, Some people are daydreaming that Naveen Babu will not become the chief minister again. But ask BJP who is the partys chief ministerial candidate, they cannot given a reply. Coming down heavily on the BJP, the 5T chairman said if the party announces its chief ministerial candidate, it will not get even 10 per cent votes. If you have the guts, announce your chief ministerial candidate. The party will not get even 10 per cent of the votes, he said. Launching a veiled attack at Union Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Pandian said a union minister is trying to be the chief minister for the last 10 years. But his party does not have confidence on him, how will people of the state trust him? he questioned. Pandian said according to BJP leaders,the party will select chief minister on June 6 after results come out on June 4. But will the BJP high command decide the chief minister or people of Odisha, he asked adding, if the saffron party comes to power, the state will go back by 24 years. Earlier, Congress was in power in the state and looked up to the high command for every decision, he said and added, because of this the state had to suffer during the super cyclone. The chief ministers of national parties will be answerable to their central party and not to the people of the state, Pandian said and added that they will be on remote control. But Naveen babu is answerable to you, his remote will be in the hands of 4.5 crore people of Odisha, he added. The 5T chairman urged the people to vote for BJD to strengthen the hands of the chief minister. The chief minister loves you, you should also love him in return, he added.

Odisha people will not like their CM being remote controlled by Delhi: Pandian

Berhampur: Bureaucrat-turned-BJD leader Kartik Pandian Tuesday said the people of Odisha would not like a chief minister who will be remote-controlled by Delhi. The comment of Pandian, a close aide of Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the BJP will select its CM on []

Maoist surrenders before Odisha Police

Phulbani: A member of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) surrendered before the Odisha Police Tuesday, an officer said. Samaya Madkam, who was the commander of a team of the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the Maoist group, surrendered before Berhampur Southern Range IG JN Pankaj and Kandhamal SP Suvendu Kumar Patra at Phulbani. He is a native []

BJD moves CEO against BeMC commissioner

BHUBANESWAR: The BJD on Monday moved the chief electoral officer (CEO) against the commissioner of Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) Bhabani Prasad Mishra alleging the latter discriminated against the party by removing its display campaign materials like flexes and banners. In a memorandum submitted to the CEO, the BJD alleged that the municipal commissioner has not taken any such action against the BJP. If the pasting of signages and display campaign materials is wrong, how are such materials of BJP still on display? the BJD questioned. The BJD said this type of action has left a negative impact on the party given that polling is just seven days away. Stating this has been done with an ulterior motive to help the Opposition political parties, the memorandum said the BJD is facing a difficult situation for no fault. The party said it is not able to connect with the voters due to such action by the commissioner. The ruling party further urged the CEO to intervene into the matter and take strong action so that such discrimination does not take place.

Odisha: Many Independents in poll fray for power, some for a cause

BHUBANESWAR : From a plumber to an anti-mining activist and an astrologer to an IITian, the first phase polls in Odisha has an interesting array of Independents who have thrown their hat into the election ring. A large number of Independents are in the fray for the first phase of twin elections which is scheduled on May 13. There are 37 candidates in fray for the four Lok Sabha constituencies - Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Berhampur and Koraput - and 243 candidates for the 28 Assembly segments. Of these candidates, 11 are Independent contenders for the four parliamentary constituencies and 77 are contesting from various Assembly segments. For many, the elections can be a stepping stone for their political careers but for a few others, its a fight for a cause. Padia Padiami of Chimitapalli village under Orkel block of Malkangiri is an electrician-cum-plumber by profession and he will be contesting as an Independent from Chitrakonda Assembly seat. People of Chimitapalli and villages nearby, which are located close to Balimela, came together in protest against lack of development in their area and decided to project 30-year-old Padia as their candidate in this election. All of them are also chipping in to fund his election expenses. Our main issues are lack of all-weather roads to our villages, and lack of MSP for our paddy, he said. Similarly, 29-year-old Suchitra Majhi of Kashipur is an Independent candidate for Gunupur Assembly seat. Having been resisting bauxite mining at Niyamgiri in Sijimali, Kutumali, Basangmali under Kashipur, she wants to take her anti-mining fight forward through this election. My fight is for safeguarding the interests of tribals for whom Niyamgiri is nothing less than God, said the young leader. She believes that politics can help her take the Niyamgiri mining issue to a bigger stage. From Koraput Assembly seat, 34-year-old medical sweeper Siba Prasad Sagadia will contest without any political representation. Although he works on a daily wage basis, Sagadia has in the past fought for the rights of vendors on the streets and migrant brick kiln workers. If I win, my fight will be for the workers at the grassroots including migrant labourers who are overlooked by their employees, administration and government, said the daily wager of Koraput, who funds his campaigning by seeking donations from locals. Likewise, migration is the poll plank of Dharmananda Gahir of Lakhapadar who is contesting for the Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency. Having pursued a doctorate in mathematics from IIT-Kanpur, Gahir quit his job as assistant professor at Ramjas college in Delhi to fight the polls. Labour migration which continues in Kalahandi and Nuapada pushed him into contesting elections to bring about policy changes, he said. Son of a farmer and an anganwadi worker, he is spending his savings from his decade-old job to fund his campaign. While two of the Independents are retired Army personnel, many others are farmers and former government employees. If they win, they are hopeful of being picked up by the mainstream political parties in the days ahead. However, the election history of the four constituencies and Assembly segments under them havent been in favour of Independents. None of these seats have elected any Independent in 2019, 2014 and 2009 elections as they managed to wrest only 10 per cent or less seats.

TB scare in Ganjam due to short-supply of medicines

Berhampur: After HIV AIDS, nowadays tuberculosis (TB) has acquired an alarming proportion in Ganjam district with 18,669 patients being identified during the last three years. The Spread of the bacterial disease has worsened due to the short supply of free medicines by the Union government. As a result, people suffering from the disease are being []

BJP daydreaming of coming to power: Odisha CM

BHUBANESWAR : Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that a BJP government will be sworn in on June 10 in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik came out with a stinging rebuttal terming it a daydream of the saffron party for many years. The chief ministers response came after 5T chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian informed him about the BJPs claim of forming government in the state while the two leaders were on their way from Bhawanipatna to address an election meeting at Khariar. The BJP is day dreaming since a long time, he said. Pandian shared the video of the chief ministers reaction on Instagram. While addressing an election meeting at Berhampur, the Prime Minister had asserted that June 4 is the expiry date of the BJD government in the state. The BJP government in Odisha will be sworn in on June 10, he stated. In a direct counter to the announcement of the Prime Minister, the 5T chairman said at the Bhawanipatna meeting that a BJD government will be sworn in for the sixth time in Odisha on June 9. The new government will be sworn in between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm, he added. Pandian said the chief minister has the blessings of Lord Jagannath because of which he is serving the people of the state without any self-interest and will continue to do so. The chief minister will create a history by leading the government for the sixth consecutive time. Odisha will create a new history, he said. Addressing the election meetings at Bhawanipatna and Khariar, the chief minister said the big promises made by the Opposition political parties were all lies. Stating that the leaders of the Opposition parties do not have any commitment for Odisha or Odia people, he said they remember Odisha only during election time. He urged the people to vote for Jodi Sankha- one for MLA and another for MP. The chief minister asked the people whether programmes and schemes launched by the state government like Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, Mamata, Mission Shakti, Srimandir Parikrama Prakalpa, 5T transformation of schools and LAccMI bus service were good. There was a positive response of people to these schemes launched by the government. BJD candidate from Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat Lamobadar Nial and Assembly segment nominees of Kalahandi and Nuapada districts were present with the CM.

LS polls 2024: Stakes high for Kharge, BSY, NCP in Phase 3

NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: The electoral fate of half-a-dozen Union ministers and two former chief ministers will be sealed on Wednesday in the third phase of the general elections is 93 constituencies in 11 states and Union territories. The BJP sees the third phase as one of consolidation as compared to the first two phases. Prominent among the heavyweight candidates in this phase are Union home minister Amit Shah in Gandhinagar, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya (Porbandar), civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia (Guna), former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh (Rajgarh), NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar)s Supriya Sule (Baramati), and Adhir Ranjan Choudhary (Berhampur). In Uttar Pradesh, representatives of the Mulayam Singh Yadav clan are contesting in this phase Dimple Yadav from Mainpuri, Akshaya Yadav, son of Ram Gopal Yadav, from Firozabad and Aditya Yadav, son of Shivpal Yadav, from Budaun. In Karnataka, the last of the 14 seats will go to polls in what is being seen as a high-stakes battle for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. For, most of the seats are in North Karnataka, which is regarded as his home turf. The elections are equally important for former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, whose son Vijayendra is the state BJP president. Prominent among those in the fray in Karnataka are former CMs Basavaraj Bommai (Haveri) and Jagadish Shettar (Belgaum), Union ministers Pralhad Joshi (Dharwad) and Bhagwant Khuba (Bidar), Yediyurappas son Raghavendra (Shivamogga), and Kharges son-in-law Radhakrishna Doddamani (Gulbarga SC). According to sources, around 30-40 constituencies in the third phase will witness triangular contests, giving sitting Lok Sabha members a really tough time. Most of the sitting MPs are from the ruling BJP. Phase 3 factoids 93 seats for which polling will be held in 11 states/UTs 1,300 candidates including around 120 women, in the fray 11 crore people eligible to vote Entire Gujarat and Goa, 11 seats in Maharashtra, 10 in UP, 14 in Karnataka, 7 in Chhattisgarh, 5 in Bihar, 4 each in Assam and West Bengal to go to polls

Govt working for welfare of indigenous people: Modi

BJD Govt will expire on June 4 BERHAMPUR/NABARANGPUR (Odisha), May 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called himself son of Lord Jagannath and asserted that the expiry date of the BJD Government in Odisha is June 4, the day the assembly election results will be announced. Addressing his first election rally in the State, Modi urged people to give a chance to the BJP to make Odisha the number one state in the country. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel [] The post Govt working for welfare of indigenous people: Modi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Rain spellsbring relief to Berhampur

Odisha forest officials arrest four suspected poachers

Berhampur: Forest personnel in Odisha have arrested four people who were allegedly trying to poach wild animals by setting fire in a jungle in Ganjam district, officials said Monday. The accused were held Sunday night while they were trying to torch a portion of the jungle in the Gajalabadi reserve forest of the Suradarange in []

Pandian rejects Modi's claim on Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJD) will have its government in Odisha on June 10, indicating that the Naveen Patnaik-led regional Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will be voted out of power, BJDs key strategist V Karthikeyan Pandian countered his statement and said, Naveen Patnaik will be sworn-in as CM of the state for a record sixth term on June 9. The rare slugfest between PM Modi and Pandian created flutters in political circles. Curious people began discussing among themselves as to whose assertion was stronger. While many maintained that Prime Minister Modi cannot make such a big assertion without having a clear understanding of the ground situation as it would cost him his reputation, the others who have been keeping a close watch on the bureaucrat-turned-politician, vouched that the latter cannot go wrong as all his previous articulations have proved right. Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on June 9, Pandian said on Monday afternoon. At two separate meetings - Berhampur and Nabarangpur in Odisha, the PM on Monday said, On June 4, BJP will emerge victorious in Odisha Legislative Assembly polls. On June 6, we will name our Odisha chief minister candidate and on June 10, our CM will take oath of office. The CM, Naveen Patnaik, also tried to make fun of the PMs claim. He said, BJP dina-re swapna dekhuchi. (The BJP is day-dreaming.)

Naveen Patnaik Will Be Odisha CM For Sixth Time: Pandian

Bhubaneswar : BJDs key strategist V. Karthikeyan Pandian on Monday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modis claim that the BJP will form government in Odisha on June 10 and asserted that, Naveen Patnaik will be sworn-in as the chief minister of the state for a record sixth term on June 9. The Prime Minister, addressing two separate meetings at Berhampur and Nabarangpur, said On June 4 the BJP will emerge victorious in Odisha Legislative Assembly polls. On June 6, we will name our Odisha chief minister candidate and on June 10, our CM will take oath of office. The rare slugfest between Modi and Pandian created flutters in the political circles, while many maintained that the Prime Minister cannot make such assertions without having a clear understanding of the ground situation, the others vouched that the bureaucrat-turned politician cannot go wrong as all his previous articulations were proved right. Reacting to Modis claims, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, BJPdina-re swapna dekhuchi(The BJP is day-dreaming).

BJP, Not BJD, is Odisha's Only Hope, Says PM Modi in Berhampur

BJP, Not BJD, is Odisha's Only Hope, Says PM Modi in Berhampur Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called himself ''son of Lord Jagannath'' and asserted that the expiry date of the BJD government in Odisha is June 4, the day the assembly election results will be announced. Addressing his first election rally in the state, Modi said, Odisha mein BJD ast hain, Congress past hai aur log BJP per ashwasth hai. Sirf BJP ummido ka naya suraj ban kar ubhri hain (In Odisha, the BJD is setting sun, the Congress is battered and people are sure of BJP. And the BJP has emerged as the only ray of hope for the people).'' He also urged people to give a chance to the BJP to make Odisha the number one state in the country. In an apparent dig at BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the prime minister said, ''Odisha needs a CM who understands Odia language and culture.'' ''The BJP will form a double-engine government here after the ongoing elections. The expiry date of the BJD government is June 4, 2024,'' Modi said at the Berhampur rally. Addressing another rally in Nabarangpur, the tribal heartland of Odisha, the prime minister claimed that his government has been working for the welfare of indigenous people. ''You have seen the track record of ten years of Modi's leadership. Modi increased the budget for tribal welfare by five times than the earlier allocation, the PM said at the Nabarangpur rally. Taking a reference to the cash seizure in Jharkhand, the prime minister also claimed, ''Modi is being criticised for stopping corruption and loot''. Notably, the Enforcement Directorate on Monday claimed to have recovered a huge amount of ''unaccounted'' cash during searches at the premises of a domestic help allegedly linked to the secretary of Jharkhand minister Alamgir Alam. Modi said that his government at the Centre has set up 'Eklavya Model Residential' schools in tribal areas and the number of such schools has crossed 400, he said. ''People belonging to ST, SC and OBC categories comprise seven per cent of his ministry,'' he said. PM Modi also claimed that Odisha has not benefitted from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana as the BJD government did not implement it in the state. The Centre gave Rs 10,000 crore under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' scheme to Odisha but the ''BJD dispensation could not spend the money properly'', he said, adding that Paddy farmers in Chhattisgarh get MSP of Rs 3,100 per quintal, but those in Odisha receive Rs 2,100. He also accused the BJD government of ''not allowing schemes made by Modi to be implemented in Odisha''. The prime minister claimed that the people of Odisha have strength and passion, but the BJD government did not give them the right opportunities. ''You have given 50 years to Congress and 25 years to BJD. Just give five years to the BJP. We will make Odisha the number one state in the country,'' Modi said at the rally. He also said, ''We released a visionary manifesto for Odisha promising jobs for youths and women and health facilities for senior citizens. BJP fulfils what it says.'' The assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha will be held simultaneously. ''I have come here to invite you to the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM on June 10. On that day, we will implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which the Naveen Patnaik government has been resisting. This son of Lord Jagannath will take care of all senior citizens under this scheme,'' Modi said. Responding to Modi's claim, senior BJD leader and Naveen Patnaik's close aide VK Pandian said, ''Patnaik would take oath as the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on June 9.'' PM Modi, however, said Odisha would get ''new energy and new leadership after the assembly elections''. ''A person, who lives, understands and takes pride in Odia culture and tradition, can help resolve the problems of Odisha at a faster pace...,'' the PM said. It is alleged that BJD chief Naveen Patnaik does not have command over the Odia language. Odisha has fertile land, mineral resources, and sea coasts, but people are still poor, Modi claimed. The prime minister also said Odisha lags behind in every development parameter despite having huge resources like mineral wealth, and a vast coastline. ''Who is responsible for Odishas backwardness? Why are the people of resource-rich Odisha still poor? The answer is rampant loot by Congress, which ruled the state for 50 years, and then the BJD for the next 25 years,'' he said. The prime minister also said that the BJP has given the country's highest post to a daughter of Odisha. ''It is my good fortune that President Droupadi Murmu Ji always tells me about the development of Odisha. I feel that I will be able to do a lot for the state under her guidance,'' he added.

BJP will transform growth trajectory of Odisha: PM Modi

BJP will transform growth trajectory of Odisha: PM Modi New Delhi: Emphasising that his government remains committed to the vision of Developed Odisha Developed India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the people of Odisha see BJP as the only party that can fulfill their aspirations. Addressing public rallies in Berhampur [] The post BJP will transform growth trajectory of Odisha: PM Modi appeared first on Mangalorean.com .