Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD leader and Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout, who was in the eye of a storm for his derogatory ‘Anganwadi’ remarks recently, has once against courted controversy by saying that Jayee Rajguru was not a freedom fighter. While addressing the Khurda Lok Mahotsav last evening, Rout said Paika Bidroha, the first war of independence […]
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Food Supplies and Cooperation Minister Surya Narayan Patro today lambasted agriculture department saying that its officials are not undertaking field visit to assess crop loss due to pest attack and unseasonal rains leading to the delay in submission of damage report. “Since the Chief Minister has instructed that November 25 is the deadline […]
Bhubaneswar: Reasons behind the death of Bargarh farmer Brunda Sahu are not clear, said Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout today after receiving a report from the district collector and SP today. Rout further said when the Collector questioned the family members of the deceased farmer they said that Sahu had not taken any bank loans for […]
Bargarh: The Thaimate brand of pesticides used by farmers in Odisha does not kill the pests but helps in their procreation, said Union Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat after visiting the drought and pest affected-areas in Sonepur and Bargarh districts today. “The farmers have used Thaimate pesticides due to lack of proper […]
Bhubaneswar: There is no need for discussion with Odisha Government on farmers’ problem as the Centre is committed and answerable to the people of the country, said Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday. Shekhawat’s remarks came after Odisha agriculture minister Damodar Rout had recently accused BJP and […]
Now that the state cabinet has decided, as part of a comprehensive package for crop loss, to pay compensation even to those who have emulated Bargarh farmer Brunda Sahu and burnt their crops, Agriculture minister Dr. Damodar Rout has ended up with egg on his face. In effect, the cabinet has overruled his unilateral announcement on […]
Bhubaneswar: After protests against the recent farmers’ deaths and crop loss failed to move Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout, activists of Nav Nirman Yuba Chhatra Sangathan today stormed into the residence of the Minister demanding his arrest during a demonstration in the city over farmers’ issues. Though police officials had been deployed outside Rout’s residence, they […]
Bargarh: Reacting to Odisha Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout’s comments that the State government will not extend assistance to farmers who have burnt their crops, Preeti Sahu, daughter of deceased farmer Brunda Sahu who committed suicide after setting his crops on fire allegedly over crop failure in Kalapani area of Bargarh district said, it is an […]
Bhubaneswar: Adding insult to injury, Odisha Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout today said that the farmers who have burnt their crops will not get compensation. Speaking to media here on Saturday, Rout said the farmers who have suffered more than 33 per cent crop loss due to pest or any natural calamity will get compensation but […]
Bhubaneswar: Bargarh district Collector today submitted an inquiry report to the state government on the suicide of farmer Brunda Sahu of Kalapani village in the district. However, the findings of the report based on an investigation conducted by a three-member team are yet to be established. Earlier on Friday, Collector Khagendra Kumar Padhi along with […]
Bhubaneswar: With farmers continuing to set their pest-infested crops on fire in various districts, Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout today urged the distressed farmers not to torch their standing crops since paddy is considered as goddess Laxmi. Speaking to mediapersons, the Minister said, “Farming is the main occupation of the state that believes in Jagannath culture. […]
Bargarh: A day after torching his pest-affected crops, Brunda Sahu of Kalapani in the district today committed suicide by consuming poison. Villagers spotted him lying on the field of his cropland in an unconscious state on Wednesday morning and rushed him to district headquarters hospital in a critical condition. However, he died at the hospital […]
Bargarh: In an extreme step of despondency, Brunda Sahu, a villager of Kalapani in Bargarh district, torched half acre of his cultivated land, unable to bear the brown plant hopper (BPH) attack that damaged his maize crops to a large extent. According to sources, almost half acre of the cropland cultivated by Sahu was affected […]
Bhubaneswar: It seems just seeking apology is not going to save Odisha’s Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout for his remarks allegedly against the BJP spokesperson Lekhasri Samantsinghar as the party’s women’s brigade continued its agitation and burnt effigy of the BJD stalwart. BJP Mahila Morcha today staged a protest in front of Ram Mandir here and […]
Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD leaders today distanced themselves from Minister Damodar Rout’s statement made on marital status of BJP spokesperson Lekhashree Samantsinghar few days ago. Meanwhile, activists of BJP Mahila Morcha today gheraoed the residence of the minister demanding his resignation. BJP women wing president Pravati Parida, who led the agitation against Rout, said they would […]
Bhubaneswar: Though BJD vice-president and minister Damodar Rout stood firm by his earlier comments that the party has no hesitation in joining hands with the Congress for the next Assembly polls, his statements have created a flutter within the party. “We protest the way Congress leaders have neglected Odisha. However, we will support the party […]
Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik put all speculations of a BJD-Congress alliance to rest by saying the ruling party continues to be equidistant from both the Congress and the BJP in a tweet today. Reacting to a statement by BJD vice-president and minister Damodar Rout that BJD is ready to join hands with Congress to […]
Bhubaneswar: BJD vice president and Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout created a flutter today saying his party is ready for an alliance with Congress to counter BJP. “Congress is the main opposition party; if the national party joins us to counter BJP’s communal agenda, we will help it,” said Rout. Non-BJP forces should work together above […]
Bhubaneswar: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s comments of a ‘Nabakalebar’ (complete change) of the Odisha government from Puri sparked off a war of words between BJD and BJP with the stronghold constituency of the regional party being at its epicentre. Saying that may Lord Jagannath take care of a wayward BJP, BJD spokesperson Arun Sahoo said […]
Bhubaneswar: It seems that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) now has adopted a tit-for-tat policy against its opposition parties. After party supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik took a jibe at the national parties during BJD’s recent Jan Sampark Padayatra in Bhubaneswar, it was now the turn of senior leader Damodar Rout to train […]
Bhubaneswar: Senior BJD leader and Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout today suggested the name of Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya as party in-charge for the upcoming Bijepur bypoll. Speaking to media men, Rout said Acharya belongs to Bijepur constituency and is well-acquainted with the area. Had he not been elected to the Rajya Sabha, he would […]
Bhubaneswar: BJP National General Secretary Anil Jain today lashed out at Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government saying that its inactiveness and corrupt policies have led to underdevelopment in the state. “Odisha government is inactive and embroiled in utter corruption. Central funds and schemes are not being implemented in the state. Social evil like malnutrition is inflicting […]
Bhubaneswar: Hitting out at CM Naveen Patnaik for his false propaganda jibe against Opposition parties, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan today came down heavily tagging him as an ‘arrogant leader’. “It’s quite natural that a person becomes arrogant after remaining in power for a long time. It is not an exception in […]
Bhubaneswar: The net worth of Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik’s assets is around Rs 50 crore which includes an Ambassador car of 1980 model worth Rs 10,477, his properties declaration statement for 2016-17 said. He has total Rs 24.5 lakh cash in bank accounts including Rs 12,17,153 in Janpath branch of Bank […]
Bhubaneswar: Odisha government today said the per capita annual income of the farmers in the state was Rs 59,712 as per a survey report. Agriculture minister Damodar Rout said this while replying to a written question of BJP MLA Dilip Ray in the assembly. Rout said though there was no formal method to evaluate the farmers […]
Bhubaneswar: A day after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced his scheduled meeting with Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, his Cabinet minister Damodar Rout expressed resentment over the meeting to discuss issues related to Paradip Refinery. “He (Naveen) could have summoned him (Dharmendra) for discussion rather to meet him directly in Delhi. Naveen is the CM and […]
Bhubaneswar/Bargarh: Odisha Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Minister Damodar Rout said he had already directed an enquiry into cattle deaths due to Theileria disease before BJP leaders demanded a probe today. BJP leader Samir Mohanty had today alleged that cattle in the State are being given poisonous vaccines procured by the state government. Mohanty, in […]
Bhubaneswar: Minister and senior BJD leader Damodar Rout today said MPs who ignored their party’s directive and voted for Venkaiah Naidu during Vice president poll in return of money, cannot be termed as politicians. Talking to media, Rout said he is not sure whether cross-voting has happened or not and members of which party were […]
Bhubaneswar: Odisha produced a record 1.98 crore metric tonne food grains last year, informed Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout today. Talking to media persons after the Agriculture Cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat here, Rout said the record food grains harvested in the State includes 98.74 lakh metric tonne of rice. Fish production was up from […]
Bhubaneswar: A day after the BJD attacked BJP for turning ‘Bhumi Pujan’ ceremony of Dhamra LNG terminal into a mere political programme, Chief Secretary AP Padhi today praised Centre’s move to a set up the mega project in the State. Agriculture minister Damodar Rout has criticised Padhi for this move. In a letter to IOCL […]
Bhubaneswar: Odisha will have India’s first blood bank for animals. The blood bank will be established on the premises of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) at an estimated cost of Rs 3.25 crore. At a function in OUAT here on Tuesday, VC Surendra Nath Pasupalak said the institution had earlier submitted a proposal […]
Bhubaneswar: Minister and senior BJD leader Damodar Rout today slammed Puri MP Pinaki Mishra for becoming critical about Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda in a magazine interview. Talking to OTV, the minister said, “Pinaki, who had himself quit Congress and joined BJD later, should think whether it is right or wrong to issue statements on intra-party […]
Cuttack: Panic among locals in Niali area of the district continues as three more sheep were found dead under mysterious circumstances with liver of the animals missing at Alana in the block on Sunday night. Two other animals were injured, reports said. Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Damodar Rout denied the report of a […]
Bhubaneswar: Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout today dared Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to take him on in the upcoming Odisha Assembly elections. The BJD veteran dared Pradhan while addressing a news conference during the party’s district level executive meet in Puri. After losing election by 25,000 votes, Pradhan fled to Bihar and was elected to Rajya […]
Bhubaneswar: Police inaction in the attack on Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda at Mahanga during an overhead water project inauguration has been fueling resentment among leaders cutting across party lines in the state. After Sajjan Sharma, BJP’s Samir Mohanty today questioned lack of action by the state government in the matter while BJD veteran Damodar Rout also […]
Bhubaneswar: The House Committee today met to discuss the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of paddy. Agriculture minister Damodar Rout said the state government will meet Prime Minister Modi by June 30 to discuss the MSP. During the meeting of the House Committee on paddy MSP, Rout said that the government will again try to get […]
Bhubaneswar: The quarrel between minister Damodar Rout and Congress spokesperson Sulochana Das took an ugly turn today after the women’s wing of the State Congress took to the streets in the Capital city demanding his resignation from the State Cabinet for allegedly disrespecting women. Around hundred women activists of the party took out a rally […]
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government is likely to bring a new law in the next session of the State Assembly to safeguard the interests of sharecroppers, who are now deprived of several benefits meant for farmers, state Agriculture minister Damodar Rout said on Tuesday. Rout told reporters that the inter-ministerial committee formed by the state government […]
Bhubaneswar: In retaliatory step to BJP’s booth capture strategy, BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today advised his party workers to remain in touch with the people and work for them continuously. “The BJD has been strengthened by the people who have voted for us in successive elections in last 17 years. We need […]
Bhubaneswar: After re-classifying all road sections under the Works department to escape the Supreme Court ban on liquor shops, the State government is likely to approach the Centre seeking denotification of the parts of National Highways passing through urban areas as Urban Roads. The State government, in its efforts to circumvent the order of the […]
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