Bhubaneswar: Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra on Wednesday resigned as BJD’s parliamentary party leader amid growing dissent within the party.The development came a day after four BJD MPs wrote to party president Naveen Patnaik seeking his removal from the post. Sasmit submitted his resignation to Naveen considering the party MPs’ resentment against his leadership.Party insiders…
Bhubaneswar: Vigilance officials on Wednesday carried out extensive searches at properties linked to an additional chief engineer (irrigation), following allegations that he possessed disproportionate assets.During searches at multiple locations, including the 58-year-old’s Bhubaneswar residence, officials recovered cash stashed in envelopes labelled with project and agreement references — suggesting a systematic practice of suspected bribe collection.“We…
Keonjhar: Hundreds of villagers of Patna block burnt tyres at different locations, obstructing NH-220 and demanding rehabilitation and compensation for losses caused by hailstorm on Tuesday afternoon.Protests erupted when the local administration allegedly failed to provide shelter and assistance after a severe hailstorm caused considerable damage. Many people were rendered homeless and took refuge in…
Rourkela: Preliminary report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has pointed to low engine oil pressure and loss of engine power as key factors behind the IndiaOne Air accident near Rourkela on Jan 10. The crash left the pilot, co-pilot and four passengers with grievous injuries. One passenger later died during treatment.According to the…
Bhubaneswar: Pulling up a litigant for abusing the criminal justice system, Orissa high court has quashed a criminal complaint against Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and its chairman Mukesh Ambani over a faulty mobile handset, imposed a fine of Rs 1,000 on the complainant and criticised a lower court for issuing summons without adequate judicial scrutiny.Justice…
Bhubaneswar: Abusive posts on social media may soon invite stringent legal action, state law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan warned on Wednesday as he said that the govt is planning to introduce a law in this regard.Underlining the state govt’s intent to curb the growing misuse of digital platforms, Harichandan, while addressing media persons here, said, “There…
Berhampur: Aska, a major town in Ganjam district, is all set to get an infrastructure boost, as the central govt has sanctioned three major road projects with an estimated cost of around Rs 290 crore.Ministry of road transport and highways has sanctioned a bypass road connecting National Highways (NH)-157 and 59 with an estimated cost…
Sambalpur: The residents of Deogaon area in Sambalpur district on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to the collector, demanding immediate cancellation of a proposed ethanol plant along the banks of river Mahanadi, with villagers and local organisations protesting against the project.Describing the project as part of a broader attempt to exploit natural resources in western Odisha,…
Bhubaneswar: State Selection Board (SSB) on Wednesday announced the schedule for Common Postgraduate Entrance Test (CPET) 2026, with examinations slated to be held from May 5 to 16 across the state.The entrance test, to be conducted for admissions to 50 postgraduate subjects, will be held in two sittings each day. The morning session is scheduled…
Berhampur: Three persons, including a 15-year-old boy of Ganjam district, succumbed to their burn injuries on Wednesday, taking the toll in the April 3 firecracker blast in Nayagarh district’s Korada village, to four.The deceased have been identified as Hadibandhu Sethi (58), the owner of the illegally run firecracker unit, Bapuni Nahak (38), residents of Minagadia…
