November 19, 2025 - IndiaVerve

Nitish Kumar set to return as Bihar CM for 10th time

November 19, 2025 by India Verve Desk

Patna: JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar is poised to take oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the 10th time after being unanimously elected leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislature party here today. The decision formalises his return to the top post following the alliance’s sweeping victory in the recently held Assembly elections.

At the NDA meeting, the BJP named Samrat Choudhary as its legislature party leader and Vijay Kumar Sinha as deputy leader. Both leaders are expected to continue as Deputy Chief Ministers in the new government.

The JD(U), BJP and other NDA partners met earlier in the day to finalise leadership roles and complete procedural formalities ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, scheduled to be held at Gandhi Maidan.

With the numbers firmly on its side, the NDA is now preparing to form the next government, marking yet another chapter in Nitish Kumar’s long political career at the helm of the state.

According to reports, Nitish Kumar has submitted his resignation as Chief Minister to the Governor, and it has been accepted. Until the next oath-taking ceremony, Nitish Kumar has been appointed as the caretaker Chief Minister. The oath-taking ceremony will be held tomorrow,

Heartbreak in Ollywood as playback icon Humane Sagar dies at 36

November 19, 2025 by India Verve Desk

Odisha’s music industry has been shaken by the tragic loss of celebrated playback singer Humane Sagar, who passed away at the age of 36. Admitted to the Medical ICU of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on November 14, the singer was battling multiple organ failure, including severe liver damage. Despite being placed on advanced life support and receiving continuous intensive care, he succumbed to his illness on Monday.

Known for his rich, emotive voice, Humane Sagar was among the most cherished figures in Odia music. He rose to prominence after winning the Voice of Odisha title in 2012 and made his playback debut in 2015 with the title track of the film Ishq Tu Hi Tu. Over the years, he carved a special place in the hearts of listeners through soulful songs such as Tuma Otha Tale, Niswasa, Bekhudee and Chehera. He also expanded his musical talent beyond regional boundaries, releasing the Hindi album Mera Yeh Jahan.

Human Sagar’s deteriorating health prompted his urgent admission to hospital, but despite intensive monitoring, medical experts were unable to revive functioning of his liver, kidneys, lungs and brain. His passing has left a deep void in the Odia entertainment industry.

Expressing profound sorrow, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described his death as a monumental loss for the state’s music and film fraternity. In a heartfelt message shared in Odia, he emphasised that Humane Sagar’s songs will continue to resonate with generations to come and extended condolences to the bereaved family. “May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he wrote.

With a career spanning more than a decade, Humane Sagar became a household name through his powerful renditions across films, albums and devotional tracks. His sudden demise has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fellow artists, political leaders and fans across Odisha, marking the end of an era of melody and emotion in Ollywood.

Odisha CM, Minister Kumaraswamy hold key meeting on RSP

November 20, 2025November 19, 2025 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy met Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for a detailed review of steel-related developments in the state, particularly the operations and expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram was also present during the meeting.

Terming the interaction “fruitful,” Union Minister Kumaraswamy said the discussions focused on strengthening Odisha’s position as a leading steel and mining hub. Senior officials from the Ministry of Steel and the Odisha Government also participated in the deliberations.

The minister noted that the talks covered three key areas. “We discussed the functioning of the Rourkela Steel Plant, the planned expansion of the facility, and various issues related to increasing steel and mining production in Odisha,” he said. He highlighted that Odisha, with its rich mineral resources and robust industrial base, remains an essential pillar of India’s steel growth strategy.

Speaking to the media, Kumaraswamy said Majhi assured full co-operation in facilitating the expansion of RSP and the broader development of the steel sector. “The CM assured full support from the State Government to help us achieve Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of reaching 300 million tonnes of steel capacity by 2030,” he stated.

The meeting reflects growing synergy between the central and state leadership in accelerating industrial expansion in Odisha, which contributes a major share to India’s steel and mining output.

Reaffirming his commitment to continued collaboration, the Minister said co-ordinated efforts would play a vital role in boosting production capabilities, modernising infrastructure, and supporting national economic goals.

The discussion marked another step forward in strengthening Odisha’s role as one of India’s most important steel-producing regions and advancing the country’s march towards the 300 MT steel capacity milestone.

Odisha to restructure urban governance: Four new Tahasils planned for Bhubaneswar, Cuttack & Sambalpur

November 19, 2025November 19, 2025 by India Verve Desk

The Odisha Government has announced a significant administrative reform with plans to create four new Tahasils in some of the state’s fastest-growing urban areas. This restructuring aims to enhance governance efficiency and strengthen public service delivery, especially in regions experiencing rapid expansion and increasing citizen demands.

According to a recent communication from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the existing Bhubaneswar Tahasil will be divided to form two additional Tahasils. Similarly, one new Tahasil will be created each in Cuttack and Sambalpur by bifurcating their current administrative units. The decision comes as a response to the challenges faced by the large and densely populated Tahasils, which are struggling to manage vast geographical coverage and cater to diverse public requirements.

The Collectors of Khurda, Cuttack and Sambalpur districts have been instructed to submit detailed proposals within seven days. These proposals are expected to clearly define the locations and headquarters of the new Tahasils, identify the Revenue Inspector (R.I.) circles and villages to be included, provide digital sketch maps, and outline the necessary staffing structure along with estimated financial implications.

The government has stressed that the redesign of these administrative boundaries will prioritise geographical contiguity and ease of operation, while focusing on improving access to services for citizens. The directive has been marked “Extremely Urgent,” indicating the high importance attached to the initiative.

Tahasils form the backbone of grassroots governance and are responsible for land revenue administration, upkeep of land records and delivery of essential services at the local level. With the proposed restructuring, the government expects to streamline these functions and bring public administration closer to the people, particularly in urban clusters experiencing rapid growth and evolving development needs.