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At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
At IndiaVerve, we go beyond the noise to bring you meaningful stories of change, resilience and progress—from India to the world stage. Our mission is to bring readers credible, wide-ranging coverage across politics, business, sports, culture, society and more.
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Day: July 23, 2026

Industry associations feliciate CM Majhi

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Bhubaneswar: Leading industrialists and industry associations on Thursday felicitated Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi after the state was ranked among the top five in NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index 2026.

The industry leaders reaffirmed their confidence in the state’s investor-friendly governance and appreciated the collective efforts of Team Odisha in achieving the recognition.

They said Odisha is setting new benchmarks in industrial development under the CM’s leadership. They also noted that the state is creating new investment milestones through sustained policy support and a favourable business environment.

Accepting the felicitation, Chief Minister Majhi described the recognition as a significant milestone in Odisha’s development journey.

He said the achievement would further strengthen the state’s growth momentum and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accelerating industrialisation and attracting higher investments.

The CM also said the government would continue its efforts to position Odisha among India’s top five performing economies through sustained economic growth and investment-driven development.

Odisha digitises 42.96 lakh legacy case records under e-Courts Project

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha has digitised 42.96 lakh legacy case records under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed the Rajya Sabha.

The digitised records comprise 24.17 crore pages across the Odisha High Court and district judiciary as of June 30, 2026.

The e-Courts Mission Mode Project is being implemented across the country to strengthen the use of Information and Communication Technology in the judicial system. In Odisha, the project is being implemented under the guidance of the Orissa High Court in all district and subordinate courts, according to an official statement.

Under Phase III of the project, 817 of the state’s 845 courts and 203 of 215 court complexes have been equipped with ICT hardware. At present, 18 courts in the Orissa High Court and 343 courts in the district judiciary are functioning in paperless mode using PDF-based tools. The system enables digital access to case records and court proceedings.

All 30 district court websites have been migrated to the S3WAAS platform. Besides, 320 court establishments have been migrated from Case Information System 3.0 to CIS 4.0.

Since January 1, 2026, the Case Information System has consumed data relating to 3.10 lakh FIRs and 2.29 lakh chargesheets through the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System platform.

The e-Filing 3.0 software has been implemented across all courts in Odisha. A total of 1.31 lakh cases have been e-filed till June 30, 2026.

Video conferencing facilities have also been enabled across all courts in the state. A total of 7.61 lakh virtual hearings have been conducted till June 30, 2026. In addition, 184 eSewa Kendras have been established to improve access to justice, particularly in remote areas.

Under the e-Courts Project Phase III (2023-2027), the Orissa High Court received a sanction of Rs 9.79 crore in 2023-24 and utilised Rs 6.77 crore. In 2024-25, Rs 58.48 crore was sanctioned, and Rs 53.24 crore was utilised. During 2025-26, Rs 16.09 crore was sanctioned, and Rs 14.12 crore was utilised. For 2026-27, Rs 7.09 crore has been sanctioned, of which Rs 0.43 crore had been utilised till July 17, 2026.

The government said the project aims to digitise pending, disposed of and historical case records to ensure long-term preservation, faster retrieval and reduced physical storage.

It also seeks to create a comprehensive digital and paperless court ecosystem covering the entire lifecycle of a case. A tripartite agreement has been signed among the Orissa High Court, the Odisha government and the Centre to obtain the necessary fund sanction for expanding digital court services.

Odisha revises financial powers for urban local bodies, smart cities

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has revised the delegation of financial powers for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and Smart Cities Ltd to speed up urban development, improve governance and reduce delays in decision-making.

The Housing & Urban Development Department has notified the revised framework, which comes into force with immediate effect.

The new framework supersedes all previous orders, notifications and memoranda on the subject. It also brings the financial powers of the Managing Directors of Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited and Rourkela Smart City Limited at par with those of Commissioners of Municipal Corporations.

For Municipal Corporations, the payment limit of Commissioners for works bills, purchase bills and office contingent bills has been increased to Rs 1 crore. Earlier, the limit was Rs 50 lakh in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Rs 15 lakh in other Municipal Corporations. Bills exceeding Rs 1 crore will be placed before the Municipal Corporation for approval.

Commissioners have also been delegated full powers for the payment of salary and pension bills. The financial limit for granting administrative approval to works and projects has been increased from Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore.

Projects above Rs 3 crore and up to Rs 4 crore will be approved by the Standing Committee on Contracts. Projects above Rs 4 crore and up to Rs 5 crore will require approval of the Municipal Corporation. Proposals exceeding Rs 5 crore will continue to require approval of the Administrative Department.

For Municipalities and Notified Area Councils, the payment authority of Executive Officers has been enhanced from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Bills exceeding Rs 20 lakh will require the joint signatures of the Executive Officer and the Chairman.

Executive Officers have also been granted full powers for the payment of salary and pension bills. The financial limit for administrative approval of works and projects has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

Projects above Rs 20 lakh and up to Rs 3 crore will be approved by the Municipal Council or NAC Council. Proposals exceeding Rs 3 crore will continue to require approval of the Administrative Department.

The revised delegation of financial powers is expected to strengthen local governance by giving urban local institutions greater financial autonomy. It is also expected to reduce procedural delays and facilitate the timely execution of civic infrastructure and public welfare projects across Odisha.

Government rules out decision on ethanol blending beyond 20%

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New Delhi: Amid concerns over vehicle performance, the Centre on Thursday ruled out any decision to increase ethanol blending beyond 20%.

It said any future move towards higher ethanol blends would be considered only after detailed scientific and technical studies and consultations with all stakeholders.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said E85 fuel, which contains 85% ethanol and 15% petrol, has been introduced only for Flex Fuel Vehicles designed and certified for its use. He said this does not amount to an increase in the nationwide ethanol blending level.

The government said India achieved 20% ethanol blending five years ahead of its original target after more than two decades of phased policy implementation, scientific evaluation and stakeholder consultations.

The average ethanol blending increased from around 12% in 2022-23 to 14.6% in 2023-24 and 19.2% in 2024-25. It reached 20% during the 2025-26 ethanol supply year between November and June, according to an official statement.

According to the government, ethanol has been used globally for more than a century. It said countries such as Brazil have successfully operated higher ethanol blends for decades.

In India, the Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme has been implemented in consultation with NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies, the Automotive Research Association of India, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, the Indian Institute of Petroleum, and other technical institutions.

The government said scientific studies and field validation have established that E20 is a safe and cleaner fuel when used according to prescribed specifications and manufacturer recommendations. It added that the assessment is based on laboratory research and nationwide operational experience.

The ministry said E15+ fuel has been in widespread use for more than three-and-a-half years, while E19-E20 fuel has been used for over two-and-a-half years. It said more than 20 crore two-wheelers and over 3 crore petrol cars have operated on these blends without verified evidence of widespread engine failure or vehicle breakdown linked to ethanol blending.

According to the government, vehicle manufacturers have not reported abnormal corrosion, excessive wear or reduced vehicle life due to E20 fuel. It said manufacturers continue to honour warranty obligations for vehicles using E20.

The ministry said one of the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturers serviced 2.84 crore vehicles during FY 2025-26, including around 1.5 crore older vehicles not certified for E20, without reporting E20-related engine damage or abnormal component wear. It added that a leading two-wheeler manufacturer also reported no higher incidence of damage in vehicles running on E20 compared with earlier fuel blends.

The government said it has not received any widespread or substantiated complaints from vehicle manufacturers, automobile associations or consumer organisations about reduced mileage, poor acceleration or rusting of petrol tanks due to E20 fuel. It said concerns raised in media and social media had been scientifically examined.

It said studies conducted by the Inter-Ministerial Committee under NITI Aayog, IOCL, ARAI, IIP and SIAM confirmed that E20 does not cause abnormal wear, compatibility issues or adverse effects on vehicle performance.

The government added that any reduction in fuel economy in some E10-designed vehicles is generally limited to 3-5%, while E20 offers better octane rating, improved combustion and smoother engine performance.

The ministry said E20 was introduced only after validation of fuel systems, engine durability, drivability, material compatibility and emissions performance. It added that studies found no significant variation in performance or abnormal wear in older vehicles using E20.

US, Saudi Arabia sign 123 nuclear cooperation agreement

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New Delhi: The US and Saudi Arabia have signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, commonly known as a 123 agreement, along with a bilateral safeguards agreement, establishing the legal framework for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar civil nuclear partnership.

The agreements were signed in Washington by US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. According to the US Department of Energy, the partnership supports key economic and strategic objectives, including strengthening global nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

The department, in a press release, said the 123 agreement would provide American companies with greater access to Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy programme. It added that the deal would benefit US industry, workers and supply chains while helping Saudi Arabia meet its energy needs.

According to the department, the agreements will also strengthen US and regional security by upholding high standards of nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation. They are also expected to enhance the US’ competitive position in the global civil nuclear technology sector.

Wright said the agreements reflected the shared commitment of the US and Saudi Arabia to strengthen commercial relations while promoting prosperity and security. He said the agreements upheld the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation and relied on advanced nuclear technology and scientific expertise developed in the US.

He added that, under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the US was advancing what the administration described as an American nuclear renaissance that would deliver long-term benefits to both countries.

The Department further said the agreement builds on Trump’s Executive Order on deploying advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security, particularly provisions promoting American nuclear exports through expanded international civil nuclear cooperation under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.

The Department also said the partnership is expected to expand American nuclear technology exports, create high-paying jobs, support long-term economic growth, strengthen US energy and national security, reinforce global nuclear nonproliferation standards, and deepen the strategic partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement will now be transmitted to the U.S. Congress for review.

PM assures stringent action on paper leak, opposition steps up demand for Pradhan’s resignation

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New Delhi: Amid escalating protests over alleged paper leaks in competitive examinations and repeated disruptions in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that the Centre will establish fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leak cases.

In a message posted on social media, the Prime Minister said protecting the interests of students remained the government’s top priority and asserted that those responsible for jeopardising the future of young people would not be spared.

“Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth,” Modi said, adding that he had directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary steps to operationalise the fast-track courts. He described the move as part of a broader series of measures aimed at safeguarding students’ interests and ensuring accountability in examination-related offences.

The announcement marks the Prime Minister’s first direct public statement on the issue since protests over alleged examination irregularities gathered momentum across the country. Earlier this week, during the NDA parliamentary meeting, Modi had described paper leaks as a “grave sin” and stressed the need for strict action.

The Opposition, however, dismissed the announcement as inadequate and reiterated its demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of failing to protect the country’s education system, alleging that widespread paper leaks had damaged the future of students. Repeating the Opposition’s demands, Gandhi called for Pradhan’s removal, an apology to students and action against those allegedly involved in the police crackdown on protesters.

Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal also criticised the Prime Minister’s announcement, calling it an “eyewash” and maintaining that students would not be satisfied without the Education Minister stepping down.

The ongoing agitation, led by students and supported by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), has entered its second month. Protesters are demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, comprehensive reforms in the examination system, the resignation of the Education Minister, and compensation for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide following paper leak incidents.

CJP national spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the protests would continue until Pradhan was removed from office, adding that public anger was increasingly being directed at the Prime Minister over what protesters described as the government’s inaction.

The organisation also alleged that protesters at Jantar Mantar had been threatened by individuals linked to pro-government groups. CJP spokesperson Saurav Das also shared a video on X showing a group of people threatening the protesters.

The controversy also continued to stall Parliament proceedings on Thursday.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till noon after Opposition members insisted that Pradhan resign before any discussion on the paper leak issue could begin.

In the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was prepared to hold a discussion immediately and urged the Opposition not to attach preconditions. However, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge maintained that the Education Minister’s resignation was necessary before any debate could take place.

In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla appealed to members to allow the Question Hour to function and assured them that the government was willing to discuss all issues, including the paper leak controversy, after the scheduled business.

The government has maintained that it is ready for a parliamentary debate, while accusing the Opposition of obstructing proceedings by insisting on Pradhan’s resignation as a precondition.