News from Bhubaneswar

Shiva Prasad Barik's body found under mysterious circumstances in Bharatpur, Bhubaneswar; family alleges police cover-up and names SI Baikunthanath Behera.

BJD senior leader Mahesh Sahoo confirms the party will not support the NDA-backed candidate in the Vice Presidential election, marking a shift in political stance.

Residents of Jatni town face severe water crisis during Sawan month, with WATCO's piped supply halted for four days, sparking public outrage and demands for administrative intervention.

Odisha government mandates filling 22,800 Group C vacancies by August 31, 2025, to address staff shortages in key departments like School and Mass Education, Panchayati Raj, and Health.

Former Deputy Speaker of Odisha Legislative Assembly, Bibhuti Bhusan Singh Mardaraj, passed away at 70 in Bhubaneswar. A three-time MLA from Khandapada, his demise has mourned by the political fraternity.

Violent clashes erupted at Utkal University ahead of student union polls between ABVP and Yuva Morcha factions, injuring several students and prompting police deployment. Police have been deployed on campus to monitor the situation, and authorities are on alert to prevent further escalation. Sources say both clashing groups are affiliated with the same political party.

IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Odisha on August 7, issuing a yellow warning for 21 districts due to a cyclonic system near Bangladesh. Director Manorama Mohanty warns of thunderstorms and gusty winds. Rainfall is likely to continue in different districts of the State till August 11, with more localised thunderstorms possible depending on the development of a cyclonic circulation over south Bangladesh by August 8.

Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida advocates for breastfeeding centres in shopping malls to support nursing mothers, as part of a state-wide initiative to create inclusive public spaces. She stressed the urgent need for dedicated breastfeeding and toilet facilities in malls where over 75 percent of shoppers are women. The intention is not to coerce businesses but to encourage their collaboration.

The Smart Digital Kiosk project in Bhubaneswar, under the Smart City Mission, has failed with most kiosks defunct since 2019. Installed at key locations by Honeywell Automation India Ltd for Rs 8 crore, their neglect highlights execution flaws.

Sisters in Odisha face hurdles sending rakhis via India Post due to long queues and technical issues, with private couriers charging exorbitantly.

The Odisha government plans to notify 1,635 new revenue villages, issuing an SOP for clear demarcation without overlaps. District officials are tasked with updating village maps and land records, addressing past incomplete mappings.

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan criticises Congress and BJD for falsely alleging deteriorating law and order in the State post-2024 elections, defending Odisha's improved statistics. The Minister and senior BJP leader emphasised that political battles should be fought with honesty and integrity. He criticised them for making baseless statements.

BDA's survey for the left parallel road from OERC Square to Patharagadia aims to identify affected families in Chunukoli slum, ensuring their rehabilitation under urban development policies.

Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan warns of strict legal action against unauthorised photography inside Puri Jagannath Temple, emphasising the sanctity of the 12th-century shrine. The incident involving a suspected spy camera inside the Srimandir is being taken very seriously by the government. Authorities are exploring all possible measures to tighten security.

Southern Range RDC orders probe into oxygen sharing between two newborns at MKCG MCH, Berhampur, highlighting concerns over medical protocols and patient safety.