News from Bhubaneswar

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.

The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Police conducted surprise raids near educational institutions in Bhubaneswar to curb drug peddling, targeting shops suspected of selling narcotics to students.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announces 835 model primary schools under the Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya initiative, aiming to enhance rural education with Rs 5000 crore investment.

The IMD has predicted that rainfall activity will continue in various parts of the state till at least August 8. 

CBI arrests Shivkumar Gangadharan, a declared offender in the Odisha chit fund scam, from Tamil Nadu after 7 years of evasion.

Odisha to introduce a new SOP for eco-friendly fly ash disposal via slurry pipelines, reducing environmental and health risks in affected districts like Sambalpur and Jharsuguda. The new SOP aims to streamline and modernise the disposal mechanism, especially in thermal power plant-affected areas in the State. Consultations are underway with both the central and state-level institutions.

The Supreme Court rejected IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi's anticipatory bail plea, paving the way for his possible arrest by CBI in a bribery case linked to Bridge and Roof Company Limited, following raids and evidence collection. A special eight-member CBI team had previously conducted simultaneous raids at IAS Sethy’s official residence and ancestral home on February 18.

Former Odisha Chief Secretary and Jagannath culture researcher Dr. Subas Pani passed away at 76. CM Mohan Charan Majhi mourned his demise, highlighting his contributions to Odisha's cultural and administrative spheres. A scholar, commentator, and prolific writer, Pani was best known for his in-depth academic work on Jayadev’s ‘Gita Govinda’.