News from Bhubaneswar

The Odisha government, led by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, has formed a 16-member high-level committee to address the Kotia border row with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and local development as well. The committee aims for an integrated solution in Koraput district.

Discontent rises in Odisha Congress as senior leaders are excluded from the new committee. Bhakta Das faces challenges uniting factions amid OBC reservation debates, with key figures absent at major events. This has become a poor show for Bhakta Das, a political analyst opines.

In a unique ruling, Orissa HC grants bail to fraud-accused woman trickster Manogyan Patnaik on condition of performing cleaning duties at the bank where she committed the offense. This stems from her role in a Rs 1.05 crore loan scam involving multiple mortgages.

In Niladri Vihar locality of Bhubaneswar, Mayor Sulochana Das faces protests over her remarks on Bangladeshi residents. Locals and BJP oppose her stance, demanding clarity on previous issuance (during BJD-led government) of voter ID and ration cards.

Odisha Government, led by Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, announced a scheme to buy SC/ST community lands to prevent exploitation. A proposed special corpus fund and high-level committee are for implementation, with ongoing tribal engagement.

Odisha's SEC has deferred panchayat bypolls due to early monsoon. Originally set for June 23, the polls aimed to fill 1,131 vacancies. New dates await improved weather conditions. IMD (India Meteorology Department) has forecasted impending rain and thunderstorm.

Bhubaneswar faces rising crime with incidents like Rudra Patra's assault and Sahadev Nayak's murder. Despite arrests, public anxiety grows over policing efficacy. The brazen nature of these crimes has heightened concern, with attacks occurring at an unsettling rate.

Odisha Government, led by CM Mohan Charan Majhi, allows maternity leave for women employed post-childbirth. Eligible until the child is 6 months old, this rule ensures support for female employees. Even if not employed at the time of childbirth, women can still take maternity leave upon joining.

Tension rose in Bhubaneswar's Unit-2 as authorities evicted illegal occupants from government quarters. The operation, led by the BDA and GA Department, followed an OTV report. 18 out of 100 quarters were vacated. Eviction drive will be intensified in the days ahead.

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan announced the launch of India's Gaganyaan uncrewed mission this year in Bhubaneswar, advancing space efforts with NASA collaborations and future astronaut missions by 2027. The Chairman also mentioned ISRO's relentless efforts towards establishing an indigenous space station.

The overall pass percent stands at 82.77 per cent. The pass percentage of male students is 77.88 percent while the pass percentage of girl students is 87.24 percent.

EOW informed that the Director absconded with the collected amount from the investors and misappropriated the same by diverting it to other interested accounts, including the accounts of his presently arrested accused persons. Even money was siphoned off to Bangladesh and China.

The Department of Telecommunications launches the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator to safeguard mobile users and aid banks, UPI services in preventing cyber fraud.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi approves new maternity leave rules in Odisha, granting female government employees up to 180 days. The flexible policy supports workplace inclusion and ensures care for newborns. Maternity leave shall be granted to a woman government employee who has fewer than two living children.

Senior BJD leader Ranendra Pratap Swain critiques party leadership, alleging neglect over years to SC, ST, OBC reservations. Calls for honouring Biju Patnaik's legacy. Reflecting on past disagreements, Swain recalls his contention with the party’s organisational secretary Pranab Prakash (Bobby) Das during the establishment of the OBC Commission.