India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik on Thursday wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, seeking adequate compensation to the farmers after a proper inquiry for crop damage due to unseasonal rain. Patnaik also empahsized on providing weather updates to the farmers in a timely manner. ".....the government of Odisha must take the plight of our farmers very seriously and order proper inquiry followed by timely compensation. Also, the government advisory to farmers on weather updates should be given in a timely manner henceforth," Patnaik wrote in his letter. Patnaik wrote that he visited various areas in Ganjam, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapada districts on December 30 and 31 and met farmers who have suffered huge losses due to unseasonal rains recently. "The farmers and their families are in severe distress. The rains have caused extensive damage to both paddy and non-paddy crops during the harvesting period," he said. Naveen claimed he was told by the farmers that they were not aware of the intensity of rains as the government advisory was not issued on time. Besides, at many places, the survey of crop damage has not yet been done, he claimed. "The most disturbing and unfortunate part of the disaster is the suicide of farmers in different parts of the state," the LoP said. Stating that the confidence of farmers is shattered after the calamity, Naveen said, "I would like to demand that government must work hard and provide timely and adequate compensation so as to boost the confidence of farmers."
BJP member Manas Dutta blamed the previous BJD government and held it responsible for not extending their service agreement which ended in April, 2024. As hundreds of women working as support staff under the Mission Shakti department staged a demonstration outside the Assembly over different issues, the opposition BJD on Monday demanded immediate release of their salaries. While the agitating women were shouting slogans at the Mahatma Gandhi Road leading to the Assembly, the issue was raised in ...Read More >
Mumbai: The birth of three penguin chicks at Mumbai's Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo has sparked an unexpected row not over their care, but their names. BJP functionary Nitin Bankar from the Byculla Assembly constituency has objected to the chicks being given English names, insisting they be named in Marathi instead. The BMC is expected to respond by June 10, after which Bankar will decide his next move. Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Bankar said, "When penguins were brought from abroad, we accepted that their names would be in English. But these chicks were born on the soil of M ...Read More >
Berhampur (Odisha), Jun 6 (PTI) Environmental activist Medha Patkar on Saturday appealed to the people of Odisha for protection of Rushikulya river. The government planned to construct a dam in the river Pipalapnaka under Sorada block in the district. While participating in the Save Rushikulya river movement in Ganjam district, she said, "Rivers may be small or big, but they are our mother. We have to protect the rivers from attacks." She attended a meeting were organised by the Rushikulya Banchao Kriyaanusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading the agitation a ...Read More >
Chennai: Hours before Union home minister Amit Shah was to arrive in Madurai, Thuglak editor and an associate of Shah, S Gurumurthy on Saturday met PMK founder S Ramadoss. The PMK leader, however, ruled out the possibility of meeting Amit Shah during his two-day visit to Tamil Nadu.Gurumurthy met Ramadoss for the second time amid reported tension within PMK regarding alliance strategies and insistence by Anbumani Ramadoss to remain party president. The hour-long meeting took place at the T Nagar residence of A K Vijay Mahesh, son of former Union minister and PMK leader A K Moorthy, sources sai ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Sainik School Bhubaneswar is set to host the prestigious "All India Sainik Schools Inter Group (National Level) Football Tournament-2025" from June 7 to June 15, 2025, at its school campus in the State Capital. The tournament, organized under the aegis of Sainik Schools Society, Ministry of Defence, and Government of Odisha, will feature teams that have emerged victorious in the eight Intra Group competitions. The tournament will be conducted in three categories: Sub Junior Boys (Under 15), Junior Boys (Under 17), and Junior Girls (Under 17). The winners of this tournament will ...Read More >
Ahmedabad, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) The MSC IRINA, recognised as the world's largest container ship by TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) capacity, is set to dock at the Adani Group's Vizhinjam International Seaport on Monday and will be berthed till Tuesday. The monumental arrival marks a significant milestone for the seaport, which was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 2. The MSC IRINA boasts an impressive capacity of 24,346 TEUs, making it a formidable player in global shipping. With a length of 399.9 metres and a width of 61.3 metres, the vessel is approximate ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, June 27 -- As the spiritual fervor of Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025 engulfs the temple town of Puri, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik joined national leaders in extending his heartfelt greetings to devotees. Taking to social media platform X, Patnaik posted a devotional video message, saying, "On the occasion of the holy Rath Yatra, I extend my best wishes to everyone. Jai Jagannath." Rath Yatra: A Sacred Confluence of Devotion, Culture, and Community Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X to mark the auspiciou ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a noisy scene as Opposition BJD and Congress members held protests inside the House over alleged non-payment of salaries to around 60,000 women supporting staffers under the 'Mission Shakti' scheme. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP government of "conspiring to stop" salaries of the 'Mission Shakti' staff. As soon as the Question Hour began, the BJD and Congress members trooped to the well of the House and demanded immediate release of salaries of around 60,000 women supporting staff working under the 'Mission Shakti' sch ...Read More >
Bhawanipatna: Odisha on Tuesday remembered freedom fighter and tribal icon Rando Majhi on his 169th martyrdom day. Rando headed a movement against the British from 1853 till he was shot dead by the police two years later. Taking to X, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said: "A humble tribute to the great freedom fighter, tribal leader Rando Majhi, on his Sacrifice Day. His dedication and sacrifice for the protection of motherland will always be remembered." Rando, along with his 19 associates, was gunned down by British police while taking rest at Urladani in Kalahandi district on December 10, ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Friday decided to implement two new schemes for the development of biotechnology and to enhance urban infrastructure. The Cabinet also gave its nod to a proposal to float a tender for Chheligada multipurpose medium irrigation project in Gajapati district. These proposals were approved at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. "The two new schemes, named 'Development of Biotechnology' and 'Mukhya Mantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY)', aimed at creating employment and strengthening the State's economy," Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja told ...Read More >
The Odisha government has formed a high-level ministerial committee, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, to ensure the smooth execution of the Rath Yatra in Puri on June 27. The committee will oversee all arrangements for the festival, expected to draw around 1.5 million attendees. Preparations are also underway for the Snan Yatra on June 11.The Odisha government has constituted a high-level ministerial committee to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannat ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Famous producer Ektaa Kapoor has met Chief Minister Mohan Majhi in Odisha Assembly on Tuesday and thanked him for declaring 'The Sabarmati Report' tax-free in Odisha. She had urged Chief Minister Majhi and the Council of Ministers to watch the film. On November 28 Odisha government declared to remove the entertainment tax from 'The Sabarmati Report', informed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mukesh Mahaling. The movie is produced by her. Taking to his X handle, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, "People's government has decided to make the film 'Sabarmati Report' based on ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, June 5 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday urged the people to resolve to end plastic pollution and maintain a healthy, clean environment. "Today, let us pledge to eliminate plastic pollution and create a healthier, cleaner environment for our citizens," Majhi said while addressing the state-level World Environment Day event. He noted that plastic has become an integral part of our lives, especially single-use plastics. Stressing that plastic waste must be ad ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
Berhampur/Bhubaneswar: A state-of-the-art medical college and hospital was inaugurated by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi in Kandhamal district on Saturday, fulfilling a long-standing demand of locals. The 100-seat medical college and 650-bed hospital, built at a cost of over Rs 600 crore, is located at Tilakpada near Phulbani.Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, CM Majhi emphasised that the facility would provide quality healthcare services to residents of Kandhamal and neighbouring districts like Boudh, Nayagarh and Kalahandi.A govt officer said the medical college hopes to start admissi ...Read More >
Puri: Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday launched the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan with the blessings of Lord Jagannath in Odisha's Puri. Chouhan launched this new scheme by joining a special program at the Puri Sakshi Gopal Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Speaking to the reporters after taking blessings from Lord Jagannath, Chouhan said, "The new scheme of the Centre, the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, is being launched from Jagannath Dham. The aim of the scheme is that our agricultural scientists will go to the villages and, according to the weather, so ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet, under the chairmanship of chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Friday approved a comprehensive five-year biotechnology development scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,113.50 crore. The programme will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2029-30.The 'Development of Biotechnology' initiative, comprising 17 sub-schemes, aims to transform Odisha into a knowledge-driven bio-economy by leveraging the state's rich biodiversity and existing research infrastructure."This scheme will create a robust ecosystem for innovation, incubation and investment in the biotechnology sector," a ...Read More >
Silchar: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday visited the flood-ravaged districts of Hailakandi and Sribhumi in the Barak Valley. He assured affected residents of providing timely disbursement of rehabilitation grants and swift repair of damaged infrastructure.This marks Sarma's second visit to the flood-hit region within four days, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Speaking to the media in Sribhumi after inspecting multiple relief camps, the CM said, "Flood-related problems may persist till July. I will return before Durga Puja to ensure that roads and infrastructure ar ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced a hike in the salary and EPF of junior teachers (schematic) engaged in primary and upper primary schools. These teachers were appointed at the primary and upper primary levels under the Samagra Shiksha programme. They are currently receiving a monthly salary of Rs 11,100. According to the govt's decision, the monthly salary of these teachers has been increased from Rs 11,100 to Rs 16,000.Additionally, their EPF contribution was raised from Rs 1,443 to Rs 1,950. As a result of this decision, the state govt, which was previousl ...Read More >
Pune: Hospitals in Pune have started reporting an increase in dengue cases among children following recent heavy rainfall and intermittent showers. Conditions are now ripe for mosquito breeding, experts said, as they warned citizens to ensure there's no waterlogging or stagnant pools near homes and offices. "Dengue is typically seen first in children as they often play outside," said Dr Sagar Lad, a senior neonatologist and pediatric intensivist at Jehangir Hospital and Sahyadri Hospital, Shastrinagar. Dr Lad said he's seen at least three children admitted for dengue this week, with all of the ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The dark dingy room of the jail in the city haunts Bhubanananda Tripathi even after 49 years and some months. The rattling noise of locks and bars, the unhygienic environs, the food that was bereft of taste and the scary nights came alive as Tripathi gets the news that the government of Odisha declares provision of pension to all those who had spent countless sleepless nights in prison during the Emergency in 1975. Tripathy is one of the 1200 brave souls from Odisha who were among 1.1 lakh arrested during Emergency and endured torture, humiliation and their crime was - demanding ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with students from govt schools across the state, attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Pariksha Pe Charcha on Monday. The interactive session aimed to boost students' confidence ahead of the board exams, offering guidance on handling pressure, time management, and other academic concerns. Odia student Priti Biswal was among those who had the opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister. Attending as chief guest in the Pariksha Pe Charcha-2025 programme held at Unit-I Government High School, Majhi asked students to focus on prep ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an ambitious plan of planting 7.5 crore saplings across the state within a year. Speaking at the state-level celebration of World Environment Day at the OUAT Agriculture Education Hall in city, the CM emphasised the importance of public awareness and collective responsibility in protecting nature and ending plastic pollution. "A healthy environment is essential for a healthy society," he said.Addressing the rising threat of single-use plastic, the CM urged citizens to support a mass movement to eliminate plastic from daily li ...Read More >
BHUBANESWAR: Emphasising the importance of cleaner and greener environment for a healthy society, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced the government's plan of planting 7.5 crore trees across the state within the next one year. Addressing a state-level function held at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) to celebrate World Environment Day, the chief minister said the state has achieved a net increase of approximately 560 sq km in forest and tree cover, which is the fourth-highest among all states. The common people and institutions have planted nearly ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha on June 20 as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's first anniversary celebrations in the state. The visit, which was initially scheduled for June 12, has now been rescheduled, confirmed revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday. Making the official announcement, Pujari underscored the significance of the Prime Minister's presence, describing it as a moment of pride and political importance for Odisha. The event is expected to draw significant attention from both state and national stakeh ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha BJP government has renamed 21 schemes launched by the previous BJD regime, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi told the assembly Thursday. The BJP government took oath June 12 after defeating the 24-year-old Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government in the assembly elections. In a written reply to a query by BJD legislator Tusharkanti Behera, the Chief Minister said the state government has renamed 21 existing schemes and launched seven new ones. According to a statement, the BJP government has rebranded eight schemes that were named after the late Biju Patnaik, father of form ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: In response to the ongoing supply issues with West Bengal, the Odisha government has announced an ambitious plan to cultivate potatoes on 15,023 hectares of land. Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo outlined the initiative during a recent Assembly session, emphasizing the need to boost local production to mitigate the impact of the supply disruption. The Deputy CM highlighted that steps have been taken to increase potato production in key districts such as Cuttack, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Koraput. These districts are known for their favorable conditions for tuber cul ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, June 5 (UNI) Odisha has achieved an unprecedented investment of about Rs. 1.5 lakh crore in the last five months, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said. Majhi, who laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs. 28,000 crore covering 12 industries during his visit to Ganjam district on Thursday, said that the ambitious goal set for Odisha's bright future will be fulfilled. He added that the foundation stone for industries worth Rs. 70,000 crore was laid in Jajpur Kalinga Nagar. On Wednesday, the foundation stone for industries worth Rs. 50,000 crore was laid in Dhenkanal. ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar/Gopalpur: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday laid the foundation stones for five major industrial projects at the Tata Steel Special Economic Zone Limited's (TSSEZL) Gopalpur Industrial Park (GIP) in Ganjam district. With a cumulative investment of over Rs 20,500 crore, these projects mark a significant boost to the state's fast-growing industrial base. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi said, "Ganjam has emerged as a dynamic industrial destination due to its robust infrastructure, a strategically located port, and a pool of skilled manpower. With inv ...Read More >