News from Sambalpur

Official source said there has been a substantial rise in the rainfall activities in the upper catchment areas of Hirakud. Chhattisgarh received heavy rainfall activities in the past 24 hours.

Suresh Pujari further said that such people and officials have constructed high rise buildings and soon such structures will be razed by bulldozers.

Anshu Pragyan Das, DFO Hirakud Wildlife Division informed that the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has approved a masterplan for Sambalpur Zoo which can now have 48 species in 13 hectares. Accordingly, a proposal was earlier sent for shifting 115 deer.

At least 13 elderly individuals lost vision in one eye after cataract surgeries at a private nursing home in Angul. Following severe eye infections, they were treated at VIMSAR, Burla. The district administration has sealed the facility and ordered an investigation.

In Sambalpur, a woman and her daughter were critically injured after being stabbed by their neighbor over a land dispute. The victims, identified as Indu Das and Payal Das, are currently in critical condition at VIMSAR Hospital.

The SRC office has asked the Collectors of eight districts- Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Bolangir, Boudh and Nuapada to remain alert in view of the heatwave alert for the next five days.

Priyadarshee Panigrahi, a Non-Resident Odia, traveled 20 hours from Dubai to Sambalpur to vote, exemplifying high commitment amidst generally low voter turnout.

During the third phase of elections in Odisha, Chhendipada MLA Sushant Behera allegedly attacked a BJP worker at a polling booth in Angul district. The incident occurred as Behera was allegedly persuading voters, leading to accusations of booth rigging by BJP worker Siddharth Shankar Sahu.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claims that Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik is held hostage by VK Pandian, leading to a loss of autonomous governance in Odisha. Sarma predicts the dissolution of BJD post-election as leaders with self-respect will likely join BJP.

He (Naveen) comes, speaks for two minutes and goes back. Hence to protect Odia Asmita, we will form a new government in the state, said the Union Minister

Amit Shah claimed BJP surpassed 310 seats in the first five phases of the Indian general elections, targeting over 400. In Odisha, he promised a government focused on local language and culture, criticizing Naveen Patnaik for neglecting these aspects and exploiting state resources. Shah highlighted plans for development including a new hospital and implementation of the PESA Act to protect tribal lands.

VK Pandian allegedly referred to eminent Odia poet Swabhaba Kabi Gangadhar Meher as the 'Santha Kabi' during the public meeting in the presence of the Chief Minister. Not only this, but Pandian also referred to Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi as only Kabi.

Padma Shri awardee and famous Sambalpuri singer Jitendriya Haripal underwent surgery for a urinary and hernia issue. He's recovering well post-operation, with all vitals stable. Haripal gained fame from the hit song 'Rangabati' in the 1970s.

The discussion between Union Minister and BJP’s Sambalpur Lok Sabha candidate Dharmendra Pradhan and Sambalpur’s former legislator Raseswari Panigrahi lasted for half an hour, featuring various issues. 

The BJP claimed that the lungi the Chief Minister was seen wearing in a video while making a vote appeal was not an original Sambalpuri lungi.