News from Bhubaneswar

The Mahanadi water dispute Tribunal hearing is postponed to September 6 as Odisha and Chhattisgarh explore mutual resolution, with Chief Secretaries and political leaders initiating talks.

A woman employee allegedly caused chaos at a Bhubaneswar hotel, damaging property and attacking staff, leading to a police investigation.

The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal will hear the ongoing water-sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, following informal discussions aimed at an amicable solution.

The Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, predicts light to moderate rainfall in parts of Odisha, with a yellow warning for 20 districts due to potential thundershowers and gusty winds.

Odisha Vigilance arrests Ashok Kumar Panda, assistant engineer of Bhubaneswar R&B Division-III, for possessing assets 213% beyond his known income, including luxury properties and crores in bank deposits. Following four days of extensive searches at multiple locations, Vigilance officials uncovered a massive portfolio of assets, including a newly found four-storey building in the name of his spouse.

Odisha Cabinet approves strategic policy amendments to enhance governance, attract investments, and improve justice delivery, focusing on food processing, judicial services, irrigation, and tax simplification. The Cabinet has approved pivotal amendments across several policies to enhance administrative efficiency and stimulate growth in critical sectors.

'Pushkara' by Tarang Cine Productions wins Best Odia Film at the 71st National Film Awards 2023, directed by Subhransu Das and starring Sabyasachi Mishra. The film was based on the Odia novel ‘Nadabindu’ written by Shankar Tripathy. The film has already garnered critical praise in several film festivals and now receives its highest honour on the national stage.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi reviews probe report on Puri stampede during Rath Yatra, which killed three. Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan states final decision pending report assessment. The report, submitted to the Chief Minister on July 31, comes a month after the deadly incident occurred at Puri’s Saradhabali on June 29, when an uncontrollable crowd surge during the chariot procession led to stampede.

OAS officer Sarthak Saurabh Mahapatra appeared at Bhubaneswar Mahila Police Station after his wife Archana Das accused him of domestic harassment and neglect, including abandoning her and their newborn. He denied the allegations, citing family support issues.

Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced the ongoing inventory process for Puri Srimandir's Ratna Bhandar valuables, with RBI experts to assist in verification.

ED raids three Bhubaneswar locations in a Rs 68 crore money laundering case involving Anil Ambani, with searches at Biswal Traders and other firms. Ambani summoned for questioning on August 5.

IMD predicts continued rainfall in 20 Odisha districts with a yellow warning for thunderstorms and lightning, advising precautions.

Development Commissioner Anu Garg submitted a detailed probe report on the Puri Rath Yatra stampede to Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, which claimed three lives. The report's findings remain undisclosed despite 67 witness statements. The purpose of the probe was to establish the cause of the stampede and recommend measures to prevent such mishaps in the future.

STF and Drugs Control Department seized over Rs 1 crore worth of illicit cough syrup in Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, detaining one person and probing inter-state links. The confiscated syrups are suspected to have been intended for unauthorised sale and potentially abusive consumption. Further probes are underway to trace the supply sources and involved individuals.

Odisha's Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena warns delivery platforms against reckless driving by delivery boys, emphasising road safety over speed. Transport Department will soon issue an advisory to delivery companies, citing serious concerns over the rising trend of delivery boys speeding on roads. The competition to reach customers faster is becoming 'extremely dangerous'.