May 14, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Odisha amends stamp law to simplify apartment registration, cut burden on homebuyers

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has promulgated the Indian Stamp (Odisha Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, introducing major changes to simplify the apartment registration process and reduce the financial burden on homebuyers across the state.

The ordinance, published in an extraordinary issue of the Odisha Gazette on Thursday, came into immediate effect following its promulgation by the governor of Odisha on May 12 under Article 213 of the Constitution, as the State Legislative Assembly was not in session.

Under the amended provisions of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, a uniform 5% stamp duty will now apply to the registration of individual apartment units, including the corresponding undivided share in common areas and facilities, according to the Revenue & Disaster Management Department.

The revised framework replaces the earlier multiple stamp duty slabs of 3%, 4%, and 5% with a simplified single-rate structure aimed at streamlining property transactions.

In another key change, Associations of Allottees will now have to pay only a nominal Rs 50,000 stamp duty for the transfer of common areas and facilities from promoters.

Officials said the amendment is expected to bring greater clarity, uniformity, and transparency to apartment registrations while reducing procedural complexity for buyers and housing associations.

The ordinance further provides that when a promoter executes the deed of transfer of an apartment along with its proportionate share in common areas in favour of an allottee or transferee under an agreement for sale, the applicable stamp duty will remain fixed at 5% of the transaction amount.

The state government said the move is part of broader efforts to simplify urban property registration mechanisms and improve ease of doing business in the real estate sector.

Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls to begin in Odisha from May 30

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Odisha, with house-to-house verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) set to begin from May 30.

According to the Commission, the revision exercise in Odisha will be conducted as part of Phase III of the nationwide SIR programme covering 16 states and three Union Territories.

In a press release, the poll body said the schedule has been planned in coordination with the ongoing Census house-listing exercise due to the use of common field-level machinery.

The Commission has fixed July 1, 2026, as the qualifying date for the Odisha revision process. Preparatory activities, including training and printing work, will be carried out between May 20 and May 29.

House-to-house visits by BLOs will continue from May 30 to June 28, during which officials will verify voter details across the state. The rationalisation of polling stations is also scheduled to be completed by June 28.

The draft electoral roll for Odisha will be published on July 5, after which electors can file claims and objections till August 4. The notice phase and disposal of claims and objections will continue till September 2, while the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on September 6.

The ECI said the SIR is a participative exercise involving electors, political parties, and election officials to ensure transparency and accuracy in electoral rolls.

As part of the nationwide Phase-III exercise, more than 3.94 lakh BLOs and 3.42 lakh Booth Level Agents appointed by political parties will conduct verification work covering nearly 36.73 crore electors across participating states and Union Territories.

The Commission also urged political parties to appoint Booth Level Agents at every polling station to ensure wider participation and transparency during the revision process.

Adani Airport Holdings, IHG sign agreement to develop five hotels across India

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), India’s largest private airport operator, and IHG Hotels & Resorts have signed a managed hotel portfolio agreement to develop five hotels across key airport-linked and high-growth urban destinations in India.

The agreement is expected to add nearly 1,500 hotel keys across multiple brands and locations, in line with IHG’s expansion plans in India and the growing demand in the country’s aviation, tourism, and hospitality sectors, Adani Group said in a press release.

According to the companies, the portfolio includes a Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in Jaipur, along with Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels planned within upcoming hospitality-led mixed-use airport city developments in Navi Mumbai, Mangaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram.

The partnership will also mark the India debut of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, a global luxury lifestyle hospitality brand known for design-focused hotels and premium dining experiences.

Pranav Adani, Director of Adani Enterprises Limited, said the Adani Group is expanding its footprint across hospitality and airport-led urban infrastructure with the aim of creating integrated destinations combining travel, hospitality, and urban experiences around India’s rapidly growing aviation ecosystem.

He said the collaboration with IHG and the development of five hotels across major gateway destinations represent an important step toward strengthening high-quality hospitality infrastructure aligned with India’s long-term travel and economic growth.

AAHL currently serves millions of passengers annually across its airport network and is developing airport cities that integrate aviation, hospitality, retail, commercial, and social infrastructure.

The company said its airport city developments span nearly 663 acres across multiple cities and are designed to support long-term economic and urban growth while enhancing passenger experiences.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the partnership reflects the growing opportunities in India’s hospitality sector, particularly in airport-linked developments and gateway cities witnessing increasing demand from business, leisure, and transit travellers.

He said the portfolio, which includes luxury, premium, and essentials brands, would help IHG strengthen its presence across high-growth Indian markets. He also described the launch of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in India as a significant milestone for the hospitality company.

IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates 52 hotels across six brands in India and has a pipeline of 98 additional hotels expected to open over the next three to five years.

Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwik-Chirag storm into Thailand Open 2026 quarterfinals

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: India enjoyed a dominant day at the Thailand Open 2026 on Thursday as star shuttlers PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the quarterfinals with commanding victories.

Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu produced a clinical display to defeat Denmark’s Amalie Schulz 21-13, 21-15 in the women’s singles pre-quarterfinals in Bangkok.

Sindhu maintained control throughout the contest, using her attacking game and court coverage effectively to seal a straight-games victory and book her place in the last eight of the tournament, according to reports.

ALSO READ: PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth advance to pre-quarterfinals at Thailand Open 2026

In men’s singles, Lakshya delivered another impressive performance by defeating China’s Xuan Chen Zhu 21-12, 21-13 in the pre-quarterfinals.

Lakshya dominated the rallies with aggressive shot-making and quick movement, comfortably progressing to the quarterfinal stage.

India’s top men’s doubles pair, Rankireddy and Shetty, also moved into the quarterfinals after defeating Malaysia’s Bryan Jeremy Goonting and Muhammad Haikal 21-12, 21-19.

The Indian duo started strongly and controlled the opening game before facing a tougher challenge in the second. However, they held their nerve during crucial points to wrap up the match in straight games.

India’s strong showing at the Thailand Open 2026 has raised hopes of multiple podium finishes as the tournament heads into the quarterfinal stage.

Jaishankar calls for reformed multilateralism, warns of global instability at BRICS meet

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Thursday said the world is witnessing deep geopolitical and economic uncertainty driven by overlapping global crises, including conflicts, climate shocks, and long-term disruptions in the international system.

Speaking at the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on global and regional issues in New Delhi, Jaishankar said these developments are not isolated events but part of a broader convergence of challenges that are testing the resilience of multilateral institutions and weakening growth prospects worldwide.

He noted that emerging markets and developing countries are facing the sharpest impact, particularly through pressures on energy, food, and fertilizer security, supply chain disruptions, inflation, and constrained development pathways.

Highlighting the role of BRICS, the minister said collective action is essential to ensure stability, sustainability, and prosperity. He stressed that the grouping must move beyond deliberation and work toward coordinated responses to global challenges.

Reaffirming India’s commitment to the UN framework, he said respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity must remain the foundation of international relations. In contrast, dialogue and diplomacy remain the only sustainable tools for conflict resolution, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Jaishankar expressed concern over ongoing instability in West Asia, warning that disruptions to maritime routes and energy infrastructure are highlighting the fragility of the situation. He underlined the importance of ensuring safe and uninterrupted maritime flows through key global waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

He also referred to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, stating that a sustained ceasefire, humanitarian access, and a viable pathway toward a durable peace are essential. He reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution.

The minister also flagged concerns over continuing crises in Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, and Libya, noting their combined humanitarian and security implications. He said these situations demand sustained international engagement and coordinated diplomatic efforts.

Jaishankar warned against unilateral coercive measures and sanctions that he said are inconsistent with international law and disproportionately affect developing countries. He argued that such measures cannot replace dialogue or diplomacy.

He also underlined terrorism as a continuing global threat, stating that there can be no justification for cross-border terrorism and calling for zero tolerance as a universal norm.

On technology and climate change, he said emerging innovations must be matched with trust, transparency, and equitable access, while climate action must align with climate justice backed by adequate financing.

Jaishankar also said the multilateral system, particularly the UN, is weakening and requires urgent reform, including changes in the UN Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories. He warned that delays in reform come at a high global cost.

Odisha Govt to mark two years in office with low-key events amid West Asia crisis

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will observe the completion of its two years in office in a simple and low-key manner from June 12 to June 21, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directing officials to focus more on public outreach and dissemination of achievements rather than large-scale celebrations.

The decision was taken during a preparatory meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at Lok Seva Bhawan on Thursday to review plans for the anniversary programme.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Majhi advised that the celebrations should remain restrained in view of the ongoing crisis situation in West Asia and the broader national concerns arising out of it.

Emphasising that the government’s achievements belong to the people, the Chief Minister said efforts should be made to ensure that information regarding welfare initiatives and developmental work reaches every citizen across the State.

Officials said the government plans to highlight achievements through print, electronic and social media campaigns, along with publication of booklets and informational materials showcasing the impact of various welfare schemes.

The meeting also stressed the need to present how ordinary people have benefited from government programmes implemented over the past two years.

As per the proposed schedule, programmes will be organised at both State and district levels between June 12 and June 21 under seven thematic categories — Shakti Odisha, Samruddha Krushi Odisha, Sustha Odisha, Nirmana Odisha, Utkarsha Odisha, Janashakti Odisha and Kaushala Odisha.

The programmes will showcase achievements across various departments and also outline the government’s vision and developmental roadmap for the period between 2026 and 2036.

The Chief Minister also directed departmental ministers to hold press conferences highlighting the accomplishments of their respective departments over the last two years and publish leaflets and booklets detailing key initiatives.

He said the outreach exercise would help communicate the government’s vision for Odisha’s growth and public welfare more effectively among citizens.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Works and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Ravi Narayan Naik, Chief Minister’s Advisor Prakash Mishra, the Chief Secretary and senior officials from various departments.

Odisha Vigilance conducts raids on Bhadrak CAD JE over DA allegations

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance Department on Thursday carried out simultaneous house searches against a Junior Engineer (JE) of the CAD Division, Bhadrak, over allegations of possessing Disproportionate Assets (DA) to his known sources of income.

The official, identified as Bijay Kumar Mohanty, came under scrutiny following allegations of DA, prompting coordinated searches across multiple locations in Odisha.

According to Vigilance officials, the searches were conducted based on warrants issued by the Hon’ble Special Judge, Vigilance, Balasore. The operation was led by four Deputy Superintendents of Police, four Inspectors, and supporting staff.

Simultaneous raids were carried out at four premises linked to the accused official, including his triple-storey residential building at Samaraipur in Bhadrak town, his double-storey house at Narasingdiha village under Basta block in Balasore district, his office in Bhadrak, and the residence of a relative at Malipada in Bhubaneswar.

Officials said searches were underway, and further details on the assets and documents recovered would be shared after the operation was completed.

Election Commission of India announces SIR Phase III across 16 states, 3 UTs

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced the rollout of Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 16 states and three Union Territories, while deferring the exercise in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh for the time being.

The poll body said the revision exercise has been aligned with the ongoing national Census house-listing operations to ensure smoother coordination and effective deployment of field-level administrative staff.

According to the ECI, more than 3.94 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will undertake door-to-door verification of nearly 36.73 crore voters during the third phase of the exercise.

Delhi is also among the regions covered under Phase III, with the final electoral rolls for the national capital scheduled to be published on October 7.

The Election Commission said separate schedules for Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh will be announced later after completion of Phase II of the Census exercise and keeping in view weather-related challenges in snow-bound and high-altitude regions.

Officials said operational constraints and difficult terrain conditions in these areas prompted the deferment of the revision process for now.

Launching the exercise, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar appealed to voters to actively participate in the revision process and submit their Enumeration Forms.

“I appeal to all electors to enthusiastically participate in Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and submit their Enumeration Forms,” Kumar said.

He stated that the primary objective of the revision drive is to ensure that only eligible citizens remain on the electoral rolls while removing ineligible entries.

The first phase of the nationwide Special Intensive Revision was conducted between June and September 2025, with Bihar serving as the key focus state. Following verification, around 47 lakh names were reportedly removed from the state’s electoral rolls.

The second phase, which began on October 27, 2025, covered nine states and three Union Territories, including Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

According to Election Commission data, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of deletions during Phase II, with around 2.04 crore names removed, followed by West Bengal with 83.86 lakh deletions.

Congress picks VD Satheesan as Kerala Chief Minister after days of speculation

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram: Ending days of suspense over leadership in Kerala, the Congress on Thursday named senior leader VD Satheesan as the next Chief Minister following the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) decisive victory in the Assembly elections.

The announcement came nearly 10 days after the Congress-led UDF secured a commanding majority of 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, defeating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by outgoing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Satheesan, a six-time MLA and former Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, emerged as the party’s choice ahead of senior leaders KC Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala after intense internal consultations and discussions with alliance partners.

Speaking after his selection, the 61-year-old leader credited Congress workers and the UDF alliance for his elevation. “I achieved this with the support of lakhs of Congress workers and Team UDF,” Satheesan said.

Congress general secretary and Alappuzha MP KC Venugopal, who was also considered a strong contender for the top post, said he respected the party leadership’s decision and extended support to Satheesan.

“I am fully satisfied. I will stand with the high command decision,” Venugopal said, while congratulating Satheesan on his selection as Chief Minister.

Party sources indicated that the Congress leadership took into account both public sentiment and the views of alliance partners while finalising the decision. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key constituent of the UDF, had reportedly backed Satheesan’s candidature. The IUML emerged as a major force in the elections with 22 seats.

According to reports, senior Congress leaders including AK Antony, VM Sudheeran and K Muraleedharan also favoured Satheesan, citing his strong grassroots connect, aggressive opposition role and popularity among party workers.

The delay in announcing the Chief Minister’s name had triggered speculation of internal differences within the Congress, drawing comparisons with the leadership tussle witnessed in Karnataka after the Assembly elections there.

A practising lawyer at the Kerala High Court, Satheesan entered the Assembly in 2001 from the Paravur constituency in Ernakulam district and has retained the seat for six consecutive terms. He earlier served as chairman of the MG University Union while representing the Kerala Students Union, the Congress party’s student wing.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M)-led LDF is yet to decide on its Leader of Opposition in the Assembly. Reports suggest that discussions are still underway within the Left camp over whether Pinarayi Vijayan should continue to lead the opposition front after the electoral defeat.

Xi-Trump talks signal cautious push for “stable” US-China ties amid Taiwan warning

May 14, 2026 by India Verve Desk

New Delhi: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said that China and the US are moving toward a “constructive strategic and stable relationship” following high-level discussions with US President Donald Trump in Beijing, according to China’s foreign ministry.

In a statement, the ministry said Xi and Trump agreed on a new framing for bilateral ties aimed at providing long-term strategic direction. It added that the proposed approach would be based on cooperation, managed competition, and sustained engagement, describing it as a framework intended to guide relations in the coming years.

The statement, presented as Xi’s remarks, indicated that both sides view the concept not as symbolism but as a roadmap requiring coordinated action, with emphasis on maintaining stability while managing differences.

However, Xi reportedly cautioned that the Taiwan question remains the most sensitive issue in China–US relations. He is said to have conveyed that mishandling the matter could escalate tensions significantly, with the potential to push bilateral relations into a dangerous situation, according to theguardian.com.

Chinese state media reports further suggested that Xi reiterated the importance of addressing the Taiwan issue carefully to avoid confrontation between the two powers.

Taiwan, however, responded strongly after the summit, stating that China is the primary source of regional instability. It pointed to ongoing military pressure and what it described as grey-zone activities around the island, asserting that Beijing has no authority to represent Taiwan internationally.

According to China’s foreign ministry, Xi and Trump also exchanged views on global conflicts, including the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as developments on the Korean Peninsula.

Chinese officials suggested that discussions also touched on prospects for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, while noting that key differences remain unresolved.

During the visit, Xi also told visiting US business leaders that China plans to further open its economy and expand opportunities for American firms, according to state media reports. The remarks came as major US corporate figures accompanied Trump on the trip.

In what has been interpreted as a limited goodwill gesture, China has reportedly renewed export approvals for several US beef processing facilities, based on customs data cited in reports.