Introduction to New Schemes In a significant policy shift, the newly-formed BJP government has allocated substantial funds for two major health insurance schemes in its first budget. The Ayushman Bharat scheme, a Union government initiative, and the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, a state-specific program, will replace the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) introduced by the…
Sudden Resignation Shakes Odisha Politics In a dramatic development in Odisha’s political landscape, Mamata Mahanta, a key Rajya Sabha member and influential leader of the Kudumi community, has resigned from both her position in the Rajya Sabha and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party. Elected unopposed to the Upper House in March 2020, Mahanta’s resignation…
In a significant development, the Odisha government has initiated a major overhaul of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee in Puri. This move aims to enhance transparency and ensure fair representation in the temple’s administration. New Guidelines for Committee Formation The Odisha Law Department has issued new guidelines for recommending and nominating members to the…
Corruption in Cooperative Banks: A Historical Concern Corruption within cooperative banks has been a recurring issue across various regions and times, reflecting systemic weaknesses and the need for robust oversight. From the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank crisis to numerous other instances, the integrity of cooperative banking institutions has often been questioned. Recent Revelations…
New Government Faces Challenges With the newly elected government taking charge in Odisha, one of the foremost challenges is ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the state’s welfare schemes. Among the critical issues addressed is the discovery of a significant number of ghost ration card holders under the food security scheme. Ghost Ration Cards Discovered…
In a bid to improve workplace efficiency, the Finance Department of Odisha has mandated a biometric attendance recording system for all its employees. As per the new order, every employee is required to punch in and out daily and maintain a minimum of 7.5 hours at the office. This move is part of a broader…
Return of Pucca Houses The Union government granted over 6.5 lakh pucca houses to Odisha between 2016 and 2024, but these have been returned. Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik revealed this in the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday, responding to a question from MLA Manas Dutta. Reasons for Return The previous BJD government failed to…
Massive Raid Uncovers Wealth On Tuesday, Odisha Vigilance officials arrested Rama Chandra Mishra, the Joint Excise Commissioner of Bhubaneswar, following the discovery of substantial assets disproportionate to his known income. Mishra’s arrest came after simultaneous raids conducted by Vigilance teams on Monday, revealing an array of properties and assets, including six multi-storey buildings, two flats…
Opening the Ratna Bhandar After 46 Years The Ratna Bhandar, the treasury of Odisha’s iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri, was recently opened after 46 years, sparking allegations of theft. Reports suggest that valuables may have been stolen, leading to an investigation. Suspicions of Theft A government-formed committee member, tasked with maintaining the inventory of the…
Optimism Post NITI Aayog Meeting Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi returned from New Delhi on Monday after attending the NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following his return, CM Majhi expressed strong confidence that the proposals he presented at the meeting would be implemented, leading to significant development in Odisha over…
