May 8, 2026 - Page 2 of 2

Odisha Police intensify “Nisha Mukta Odisha” drive, seize huge ganja haul across state

May 8, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Police has achieved major success in its ongoing “Nisha Mukta Odisha” campaign against drug trafficking and narcotics trade across the state over the past few days.

In intelligence-based special raids conducted in different districts, police seized huge quantities of ganja and other narcotic substances. Significant success was recorded, particularly in Gajapati, Subarnapur, and Bargarh districts.

In Gajapati district, police from R. Udayagiri and Adaba police stations conducted continuous raids over the past few days in the areas under Kirama, Sambalpur, Keshariguda, and Raipanka gram panchayats. A total of 21 raids were carried out in these areas, leading to the seizure of nearly 21 metric tonnes of ganja.

The estimated market value of the seized contraband is around Rs 21 crore. Police arrested seven accused persons in connection with the case, while 10 to 12 other accused are still absconding. Three vehicles used in the crime were also seized.

Similarly, major success was achieved in Subarnapur district during a special drive against narcotics and illegal liquor trade in the Ulunda police station area. Acting on information regarding illegal ganja and country liquor trade in Guja village, police conducted a raid and seized 1 quintal, 58 kg, 500 grams of ganja.

According to official estimates, the seized ganja is valued at around Rs 15.85 lakh. Police also seized 200 litres of illegally brewed mahuli liquor and destroyed nearly 5,000 litres of fermented mahuli wash.

In another major operation, police in the Jharbandh police station area of Bargarh district achieved significant success against ganja smuggling. On the night of May 5, while carrying out routine patrolling, Paikmal police personnel searched a truck in the Jharbandh area and seized 1,914 kg of ganja. Police arrested five accused persons in connection with the case, while further investigation is underway to identify and trace other persons involved. Three vehicles used in the crime were also seized.

It is noteworthy that Odisha Police is conducting a statewide coordinated campaign to completely eradicate ganja cultivation and narcotics trade. Acting on the directions of Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, strict measures are being implemented at the grassroots level. The Odisha Police is following a “zero tolerance” policy against the narcotics trade, and the DGP has stated that such operations will be intensified further in the coming days.

PMGSY regional review meeting in Bhubaneswar focuses on rural road quality, project deadlines

May 8, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: A two-day regional review meeting on the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has commenced in Bhubaneswar, with a strong focus on improving the quality of rural roads, ensuring the timely project completion, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms under the flagship rural connectivity programme.

The meeting, organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, is being hosted by the Odisha government. The discussions are aimed at reviewing the progress of rural road development projects, identifying implementation challenges, and preparing future action plans under various phases of PMGSY.

During the inaugural session, officials stressed that PMGSY is no longer focused solely on rural road construction, but is increasingly emphasising construction quality, long-term durability, and proper maintenance of road infrastructure. Special attention was also given to challenges faced by northeastern and eastern states, including difficult hilly terrain, heavy rainfall, and scattered rural settlements.

The review meeting is placing significant emphasis on completing pending works from earlier phases of PMGSY while accelerating implementation under PMGSY-IV. Officials noted that Odisha has completed 99.63% of works sanctioned under the first three phases of the scheme.

Under the first batch of PMGSY-IV, Odisha has received approval for 827 rural roads covering a total length of 1,701.8 kilometres. The projects are expected to improve rural connectivity and strengthen access to markets, healthcare, education, and essential public services in remote regions.

The meeting is also discussing measures to improve transparency, project monitoring, and accountability through digital systems and technology-driven supervision mechanisms.

On the second day, deliberations will focus on quality enhancement, adoption of digital technologies, financial management, and long-term maintenance of rural roads.

Officials said the regional review platform would help participating states exchange experiences, share best practices, and identify practical solutions for faster, more efficient, and sustainable rural road development across India.

Representatives from Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and West Bengal are participating in the regional review exercise. Senior officials from the Ministry of Rural Development, the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency, and state rural development departments are also attending the meeting.

Odisha reviews settlement policy for Jagannath Temple lands

May 8, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: A high-level review meeting has been held under the chairmanship of Law, Works, and Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan to discuss amendments to the existing Uniform Settlement Policy, 2003. The meeting aimed at ensuring proper settlement and rehabilitation of people residing on land belonging to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath through a structured legal framework.

Thousands of acres of land are registered in the name of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath. In many of these areas, servitors associated with the Shree Jagannath Temple, Nijogs, and even non-servitors have been residing for years after establishing settlements there. The meeting, held at the Law Department conference hall in Lok Seva Bhavan, focused on how proper settlement arrangements could be made for servitors, Nijogs, non-servitors, and monasteries that have been living on such land for a long time.

Deliberations were also held on investigating illegal encroachments on Jagannath land and, where necessary, including such land in the auction process. Minister Harichandan said the process would help long-time resident servitors and Nijogs establish their rights over the land. He also stated that revenue generated through obtaining maximum value from encroached land could be directed to the funds of Shri Jagannath and the Shree Jagannath Temple.

Also, a discussion was held regarding a proposal to launch a dedicated television channel in the name of Lord Jagannath, revered by all Odias and worshipped by devotees across the world.

The meeting discussed the proposed channel’s structure, daily programming, expansion of Jagannath culture, and ways to reflect devotees’ emotional and spiritual connection with Lord Jagannath. Minister Harichandan described the preliminary discussions as highly positive and said the state government was seriously considering proposals aimed at spreading awareness about Jagannath culture globally, encouraging deeper research on the tradition, and bringing devotees’ experiences to a wider audience.

He added that further discussions would be held in the coming days, and a comprehensive roadmap for the channel would be prepared. Senior officials of the Law Department, including Shree Jagannath Temple Chief Administrator Aravind Kumar Padhee, were present at the meeting.