June 13, 2026 - IndiaVerve

Odisha governor reviews railway infra push, inspects Puri station

June 13, 2026 by India Verve Desk

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Saturday reviewed the progress of key railway infrastructure projects and passenger amenities in the state during a meeting with railway officials at Lok Bhavan in Puri.

During the review, the governor stressed the importance of improving rail connectivity, enhancing passenger services, and ensuring the timely completion of ongoing projects.

In a post on X, he noted that strengthening railway infrastructure would play a vital role in supporting tourism, pilgrimage, and economic growth across Odisha.

Later, Dr. Kambhampati visited Puri Railway Station and assessed the redevelopment works being carried out under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. He also reviewed passenger amenities and various service facilities at the station.

Highlighting Puri’s significance as one of the country’s foremost pilgrimage destinations, the governor said the city deserves world-class railway infrastructure. He observed that the ongoing modernization efforts would significantly enhance comfort, accessibility, and the overall travel experience for devotees and visitors arriving in the holy city.

During his visit to Puri, the governor also offered prayers at the sacred Shree Jagannath Temple. He had the divine darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.

Dr. Kambhampati prayed for peace, progress, and prosperity in Odisha and sought the well-being and happiness of the people of the state.

Five IAF personnel killed in An-32 crash in Assam’s Jorhat

June 13, 2026 by Deepak Acharya

NEW DELHI: Five personnel aboard an Indian Air Force (IAF) An-32 aircraft were killed when the aircraft crashed in Jorhat, Assam, on Saturday.

In a post on X, the IAF said that Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

The IAF also extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and stood firmly with them in this hour of grief.

The aircraft met with an accident during a routine sortie at approximately 1000h in Jorhat, the IAF noted.

According to reports, the accident occurred when the aircraft was flying from Arunachal Pradesh to Jorhat.

The IAF has already launched a Court of Inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, noting that Sqn Ldr Prashant Singh, Flt Lt Shubham Kumar, Sgt Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat, and Agniveervayu Danish Alam made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

“Their courage and service to the nation will always be remembered with pride and gratitude. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief,” he said in a post on X.

Similarly, N. S. Raja Subramani, Chief of Defence Staff of the IAF, and all personnel of the Indian Defence Forces paid heartfelt homage to the five IAF personnel.

In a post on X, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff said: “Our deepest condolences to the bereaved families; we stand firmly by your side in this hour of grief.”

FIFA World Cup: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina share points

June 13, 2026 by Deepak Acharya

New Delhi: Co-hosts Canada were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their Group B match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday.

Jovo Lukic opened the scoring for Bosnia in the 21st minute. It was his first international goal.

Canada tried their best to equalise, but a strong Bosnian defence thwarted their efforts.

Canada substitute Cyle Larin finally succeeded and equalised in the 78th minute. It was their first-ever World Cup draw.

Meanwhile, co-hosts USA thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in their Group D opener, delighting thousands in the home crowd.

Damian Bobadilla’s own goal in the seventh minute gave the USA a 1-0 lead, and Folarin Balogun doubled the advantage in the 31st minute following a pass from Christian Pulisic.

The co-hosts continued their impressive form as Balogun netted his second and the USA’s third goal deep into first-half stoppage time.

Paraguay got one back in the 73rd minute thanks to a goal from attacking midfielder Mauricio, but the American side continued their onslaught and made it 4-1 in the 98th minute following a thunderous strike from Gio Reyna.

Odisha government grants registration relief for eligible pre-RERA apartments

June 13, 2026 by IndiaVerve Staff

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has issued a special order granting exemptions to facilitate the registration of sale deeds for apartments in certain projects completed before the implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

The move is expected to provide relief to homebuyers as well as promoters and landowners facing procedural hurdles.

The Housing and Urban Development Department issued the order under Section 35 of the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023, which empowers the government to grant exemptions in specific cases.

According to the notification, the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023, was enacted to simplify and strengthen laws relating to apartment ownership and management in the state. However, the government observed that apartment owners who had purchased units before the commencement of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act on October 5, 2016, were encountering difficulties in registering transfer deeds because of compliance and documentation requirements.

To address these concerns, the government had earlier issued a special order in December 2025 to provide relief to allottees. While that measure benefited apartment buyers, similar categories of apartments completed before October 5, 2016, and owned by promoters or landowners continued to face challenges in completing registrations in favour of homebuyers.

Under the latest order, the exemption will apply only to apartments completed before October 5, 2016. It will also be limited to projects in which at least 50% of the apartment units have already been transferred to allottees through registered sale deeds on or before that date.

The notification further stipulates that apartments proposed for registration must form part of the original building plan approved by the competent authority under the Odisha Development Authorities Act, 1982, or the Odisha Town Planning and Improvement Trust Act, 1956.

As part of the conditions, promoters or landowners will be required to display the approved building plan at a conspicuous location within the project premises and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Association of Allottees before the registration of the first sale deed of the remaining unsold apartments. The NOC must confirm the correctness of the number of apartments shown in the approved plan.

The government has also mandated that promoters or landowners submit an undertaking to the registering authorities confirming compliance with all specified conditions.

The order clarifies that any association of allottees or society formed under another law before the commencement of the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Act, 2023, will be considered valid only after adopting bye-laws in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

At the same time, the notification makes it clear that the exemption should not be interpreted as condoning any violations of building regulations, and any such violations will continue to attract action under applicable laws.

The special order is expected to streamline the registration process for eligible pre-RERA apartment projects while ensuring compliance with the state’s apartment ownership and management framework.

DRDO achieves major breakthrough with missile defence, anti-ship missile tests

June 13, 2026 by India Verve Desk

NEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated multiple critical technologies to strengthen India’s defence capabilities against a range of enemy threats through a series of flight tests conducted earlier this week.

According to DRDO, three consecutive flight tests were carried out on June 10 and 11 to demonstrate a multi-layered defence against long-range ballistic missiles as well as anti-ship capability at medium range.

During the trials, the country’s multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability was successfully demonstrated, with the interceptors accurately engaging their respective targets, according to an official statement.

DRDO said the systems have been designed and developed using advanced technologies to counter emerging missile threats.

The organisation stated that the successful tests have placed India among an elite group of nations possessing BMD capabilities capable of engaging ballistic missile threats up to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.

In another significant achievement, DRDO successfully carried out the maiden flight-test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range, demonstrating anti-ship capability at medium range.

The flight tests were witnessed by senior officials of DRDO and the Defence Forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO on the successful demonstrations, stating that the organisation had validated multiple crucial technologies that would bolster the nation’s defence capabilities against different types of enemy threats.

In a post on X, he noted that the three flight tests successfully showcased a multi-layered defence against long-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship capability at medium range.

The defence minister said the successful BMD trials demonstrated the effectiveness of indigenous interceptors and highlighted India’s growing capability to counter advanced ballistic missile threats.

He also lauded the successful maiden flight-test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range, describing it as a significant milestone for the country’s defence research and development efforts.

The successful demonstrations underline India’s continued push towards strengthening indigenous defence technologies and enhancing self-reliance in critical strategic systems.