News from Bhubaneswar

The arrest of Amaresh Jena has sparked a political clash between BJP and BJD in Odisha, with both parties accusing each other over women's safety and governance failures. The issue has quickly evolved from legal matter into full-blown political confrontation, with both parties striving to control the narrative on women’s rights and justice delivery.

IMD predicts light showers and thunderstorms in Odisha till July 30, with Yellow Warnings issued for several districts. Fishermen advised to avoid North Bay of Bengal. Sea condition is very likely to be rough to very rough over North Bay of Bengal along and off Odisha coasts.

ORERA imposes a Rs 2 crore penalty on a Bhubaneswar-based realtor for executing a 120-acre plotting project in Haridamada without layout approvals or RERA registration, involving 2,500 plots valued at Rs 550 crore.

Engineer-in-chief Chandra Sekhar Padhi assures no major flood in Odisha soon, with rivers' water levels expected to fall, except Subarnarekha posing risks to Balasore's low-lying areas.

BJD corporator Amaresh Jena arrested by Commissionerate Police in Balasore for sexual assault of a minor, booked under POCSO Act and other charges.

Bird flu detection in Khordha district leads to plummeting chicken sales in Bhubaneswar, with consumers shifting to fish amid health fears, causing price drops and vendor losses.

DMRC terminates contracts with Ceigall India and Ranjit Buildcon for Bhubaneswar Metro due to delays. Odisha govt plans a revised metro blueprint to revive the project.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced a Rs 10 lakh life insurance, Rs 30 lakh compensation for deaths on duty, mobile phones, and pucca houses under PM Urban Housing Scheme for sanitation workers at the 'Garima' programme in Bhubaneswar.

Odisha BJP President Manmohan Samal announced the formation of a new organisational Committee through a constitutional process, following discussions in Delhi. The committee will include 25 new faces, balancing experience and freshness. No discussions on Cabinet reshuffle yet, but corporation posts to be filled timely. Ready to face any no-confidence motion by Congress.

A minor girl from Balanga, Puri, who was set on fire, recorded her statement at Delhi's AIIMS under Odisha Crime Branch supervision. Her testimony has intensified the probe, with police gathering vital clues. The police are actively pursuing leads to unravel the circumstances surrounding the case. The victim underwent a six-hour skin grafting surgery yesterday.

Hirakud Dam's water level surges to 609.33 feet, prompting the opening of 20 gates for rainwater discharge amid heavy rainfall in Odisha. It is discharging 2,26,150 cusecs of water per second. The situation is being closely monitored by local authorities to manage the growing flood risks in surrounding areas.

Union Minister Tokhan Sahu stated in Parliament that no proposal for a Bhubaneswar metro rail project has been received by the Centre, amidst 17 new projects under consideration.

Odisha's Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Naik announced the rollout of e-KYC for job cards to eliminate fakes, setting a 3-month deadline for updates or revocation. The Minister stated that anyone failing to update their job card through e-KYC within the next three months will have their claim for the card revoked.

Odisha's rivers face rising water levels due to heavy rains, prompting alerts from the Water Resources Department. Hirakud Dam discharges water, with more gates possibly opening. IMD predicts extreme rainfall in several districts. Due to heavy rainfall, river inflow will increase from today. Water accumulation is expected in low-lying areas.

The IMD confirmed a depression over the Northwest Bay of Bengal, crossing West Bengal and Bangladesh, with heavy rainfall predicted for Gangetic West Bengal, North Odisha, and Jharkhand. Red Alerts issued for Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.