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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: September 25, 2026

Odisha to develop e-portal for smoother settlement of Jagannath land

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to develop an e-portal to streamline and bring greater transparency to the settlement process of land belonging to Lord Jagannath, with details of all occupants to be compiled through the digital platform.

The decision was taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Law, Works and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan at Lok Seva Bhavan on Friday. The meeting reviewed the ongoing process of granting land rights to servitors and non-servitors who have been residing on Lord Jagannath’s land for a long period.

According to the government, the proposed e-portal will allow servitors and non-servitors occupying Jagannath land to submit their details through a simple and accessible process. The information will be used to create a comprehensive database of people occupying the land and facilitate a more organised settlement process.

Harichandan reviewed the proposed digital system in detail and provided suggestions aimed at making the portal more useful and ensuring that the process is implemented efficiently and transparently.

The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to take forward the process of providing land rights to eligible servitors and non-servitors residing on Jagannath land. The government said the digital system is expected to make the process simpler and more structured for those covered under the initiative.

The meeting was attended by Dr Aravind Kumar Padhee, Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department; Bishal Dev, Additional Chief Secretary of the Electronics and Information Technology Department; Dr Pabitra Mohan Samal, Principal Secretary of the Law Department; and Additional Secretary Shivaprasad Mahapatra.

Puri Collector Dibyajyoti Parida joined the meeting virtually, while senior officials from OCAC and ONIC also participated.

Odisha wins Best State Award at India International Water Week 2026

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New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Odisha has received the Best Award in the State Category at the 9th India International Water Week (IIWW) 2026 for its approach to climate-resilient water management.

Held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi under the theme “Climate Resilient Water Management”, the event saw Odisha participate as the Partner State. The state’s pavilion showcased its efforts to link water management with agricultural development and community participation.

A key attraction was the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA), which featured the restoration of minor irrigation systems and climate-resilient farming practices, including direct-seeded rice cultivation, green manuring, crop diversification and integrated rice-fish farming. The pavilion also highlighted the availability of farm machinery through Custom Hiring Centres.

The pavilion also featured a model of the Kanupur Irrigation Project, highlighting the State’s major irrigation infrastructure and its approach towards ensuring water availability in accordance with local requirements. The Pani Panchayat display highlighted the role of farmers and local institutions in water-use planning and irrigation management. A Best Practices Corner and various interactive activities further sensitized visitors to water conservation and community-based solutions.

As the Partner State, Odisha used the platform to present its experience in water management and climate-resilient agriculture while exchanging knowledge on approaches to address the challenges posed by climate change.

The Best Award under the State Category recognises Odisha’s efforts to integrate irrigation infrastructure, agricultural innovation and community participation in strengthening water management and supporting farming communities..

Odisha governor calls for sustained thalassemia awareness campaign

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday urged the Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch (IRCS-OSB) to undertake sustained awareness programmes on thalassemia, with a focus on identifying patients whose cases may remain undetected.

The governor made the suggestion while presiding over the IRCS-OSB Executive Committee meeting at the conference hall of New Abhisek Hall at Lok Bhavan.

Highlighting the rising number of thalassemia patients in Odisha, Dr. Kambhampati stressed the need for a long-term awareness campaign to improve public awareness about the disease and help identify undetected cases.

The governor also called for greater engagement with corporate organisations to mobilise support through Corporate Social Responsibility for various Red Cross programmes.

He suggested that the Executive Committee meet at least three times a year to ensure regular review and follow-up of its activities.

Reviewing the Red Cross’s work in Odisha, Dr. Kambhampati expressed satisfaction with its activities and suggested conducting training programmes for volunteers involved in elderly care.

He advised the organisation to obtain the necessary government approval and seek support from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the initiative.

Describing the Indian Red Cross Society as a symbol of selfless service to humanity, the Governor said it plays an important role in reducing suffering, protecting lives and supporting people during times of need.

He appreciated the humanitarian, healthcare and social welfare initiatives undertaken by the Odisha State Branch and emphasised the need to further strengthen the Red Cross movement across the state.

Dr. Kambhampati also stressed the importance of increasing the participation of youth and volunteers and ensuring that Red Cross services reach people who need them.

Senior officials from the Health and Family Welfare, Higher Education, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water departments attended the meeting along with members of the IRCS-OSB Executive Committee and senior officials from various concerned departments.

IRCS-OSB Honorary Secretary Ganesh Chandra Patra presented the report at the meeting.

Asian Games 2026 Day 6: India’s medal tally reaches 23

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New Delhi: India’s medal tally at the Asian Games 2026 rose to 23 on Day 6, with the country collecting two gold, nine silver and 12 bronze medals as athletes and teams produced a series of notable performances.

The day belonged largely to India’s athletics and shooting contingents, while the country also secured places in several team-sport medal rounds.

In shooting, Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh produced a record-breaking performance to win the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.

The Indian pair topped the qualification round before going on to claim the title in the final, matching the Asian record during qualification, according to reports.

India also secured silver in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event through Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar and Rudrankksh Patil. In the individual final of the same event, Aishwary finished fifth and Niraj eighth.

Athletics added multiple medals to India’s tally. Gulveer Singh moved up to silver in the men’s 10,000m after clocking 28:29.38 minutes. Baranica Elangovan created history by winning bronze in the women’s pole vault, becoming India’s first Asian Games medallist in the event.

Manpreet Kaur also secured bronze in the women’s shot put. In the women’s heptathlon long jump, Anamika Aneesh finished sixth and Pooja 10th, leaving them seventh and ninth respectively in the overall standings.

India’s women’s hockey team booked a place in the semi-finals after defeating Japan 3-1 in their Pool B encounter.

Kabaddi provided another major boost, with both Indian teams reaching the gold-medal matches. The women’s team defeated Nepal 48-24, while the men’s side beat Thailand 66-28 to secure their respective places in the finals.

Squash also produced two important results. Joshana Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar advanced to the mixed doubles semi-finals, assuring India of a medal. Anahat Singh also reached the women’s singles semi-finals after defeating compatriot Tanvi Sharma 11-2, 11-5, 11-3.

In mixed doubles table tennis, Diya Chitale and Manush Shah defeated Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem to enter the semi-finals and assure India another medal. Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade, however, were beaten by China’s Lin Shidong and Kuai Man in the mixed doubles quarter-finals.

In badminton, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto began their mixed doubles campaign with a victory over Maldives’ Aminath Abdul Razzaq and Nibal Ahmed. Unnati Hooda also won her opening women’s singles match against Yu Mi Song.

India, however, suffered a major setback in men’s doubles when defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out in the opening round after losing to a lower-ranked Thai pair.

Boxing saw Sachin progress to the men’s 60kg quarter-finals following a 4-1 victory over Mohammad Abu Jajeh.

In swimming, Rishabh Das and Utkarsh Patil advanced to the men’s 200m backstroke final after finishing fourth and ninth overall respectively in the heats. Rishabh had earlier finished second in Heat 1. Dhanush Suresh finished 21st overall in the men’s 50m breaststroke and missed out on the final, while Aneesh Sunil and Dhakshan Shashikumar placed 17th and 18th respectively in the men’s 400m freestyle heats and failed to qualify.

In canoe sprint, Prohit Baroi and Prasanna Kumar finished fifth in the first semi-final of the men’s kayak double 500m and progressed to Final B. Megha Pradeep and Neha Leichonbam, meanwhile, finished fourth in the first semi-final of the women’s canoe double 500m and were eliminated.

India’s fencing campaign ended in the men’s team foil Round of 16 after Aditya, Hemash Singh, Tejas Patil and Sachin lost their tie against Hong Kong. The women’s epee team of Anupriya, Mitva Chaudhari, Tanishka Khatri and Yashkeerat Kaur also exited after losing to Uzbekistan in the Round of 16.

In table tennis, Sreeja Akula and Syndrela Das were beaten 0-3 by Man Kuai and Wang Manyu of China in the women’s doubles third round. Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade also lost 0-3 to China’s Fan Shuban and Chen Yi in the women’s doubles quarter-finals.

India’s Veer Chotrani exited the men’s squash singles competition after a 1-4 quarter-final defeat to Muhammad Irfan.

In esports, India lost 0-2 to South Korea in the Pokémon Unite competition.

Odisha launches ‘Sambandh’ mega membership drive to strengthen cooperative movement

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Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday launched ‘Sambandh ’, a mega membership drive aimed at strengthening Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) and Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPCS) across the state.

Launching the campaign at the OUAT Agricultural Education Complex in Bhubaneswar, Majhi said cooperative societies are not political platforms but an important support system for farmers who depend on agriculture and allied sectors.

He said ‘Sambandh’ is not merely the launch of a scheme, but an initiative to strengthen the relationship and bond of trust between the government and farmer families across Odisha.

The CM also appealed to farmers to join PACS and LAMPCS in large numbers.

Majhi said Odisha has become the first state in India to frame its own Cooperative Policy 2026, drawing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’ and the guidance of Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

Under the new policy, PACS and LAMPCS are being transformed into rural multi-service one-stop centres instead of remaining limited to lending activities.

Farmers are being provided access to fertilisers, seeds, modern agricultural equipment, banking, crop insurance and milk collection facilities under one roof. The state is also providing a minimum support price of Rs 3,100 per quintal for paddy.

During the programme, the CM inaugurated 185 transformed mandis, 50 Custom Hiring Centres, 250 Common Service Centres, 60 new Consumer Stores, and new offices and godowns for 70 PACS. Milk collection centres were also inaugurated at 21 PACS.

Majhi laid the foundation stones for four model mandis and three grain warehouses under the world’s largest grain storage scheme.

Emphasising transparency and efficiency in cooperative societies, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of core banking and real-time settlement through the National PACS Software. He also launched the online system through NLPS at 300 PACS.

The government also initiated dividend distribution to farmer-members of PACS and LAMPCS for the first time.

The dividend distribution process for the 2024-25 financial year began with Majhi distributing dividends to farmers associated with 322 PACS and LAMPCS. The process is expected to benefit more than 500 societies and nearly eight lakh farmers for the financial year.

To increase the income of sugarcane farmers and revive the cooperative sugar industry, Majhi launched the ‘Promotion of Sugarcane Production in Cooperative Sugar Mill Areas’ scheme. In its initial phase, farmers in the Baramba and Aska cooperative sugar mill areas will receive an input subsidy of Rs 15,000 per acre.

The CM also directed the Agriculture Department to provide high-quality sugarcane seeds with high sugar content to farmers in the state.

During the event, appointment letters were formally handed over to 11 Assistant Superintendents, 19 Godown Assistants and 36 Cooperative Inspectors of the Odisha State Warehousing Corporation.

Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bal Samant said rapid development of the rural economy is possible through cooperatives and said the campaign seeks to connect at least one member from every family with the cooperative movement.

Samant highlighted the achievements of the Cooperation Department over the past two years and said cooperative societies under the present government have moved away from being loss-making institutions and have been transformed into self-reliant and profitable business enterprises.

Speaking at the same venue, Chief Secretary Anu Garg said cooperatives have an important role in achieving the state’s 2036 and 2047 goals and emphasised the need to strengthen and digitise the cooperative sector.

Agriculture Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Yadav, Handlooms Secretary Guha Poonam, Tapas Kumar and other officials were present at the programme.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Cooperation Department Rajesh Prabhakar Patil welcomed the gathering, while Registrar of Cooperative Societies Manish Agrawal proposed the vote of thanks.

Members of PACS and LAMPCS from different parts of Odisha, cooperative experts, departmental officials and farmers attended the programme.

Govt suspends two senior officials arrested in separate cases

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has suspended two senior officials who were arrested in separate cases, with one facing allegations of sexually assaulting a woman employee and the other being arrested in connection with a jailbreak-related case and subsequent allegations of intimidation.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday approved the suspension of Arun Kumar Biswal, Additional Secretary in the Commerce and Transport Department, and Sujit Kumar Roul, Senior Superintendent of Cuttack Circle Jail.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, both officials had been arrested and remained in custody for more than 48 hours. Under government rules, the two were therefore placed under suspension.

Biswal, a senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer, was arrested on September 18 following allegations that he raped a woman employee. According to media reports, the incident allegedly occurred after Biswal, reportedly in an inebriated condition, created a disturbance outside the woman’s residence in the Kharavela Nagar police station area on the night of September 17. He allegedly entered the house forcibly and assaulted the woman.

Separately on September 20, Roul was arrested in connection with a case related to a jailbreak incident at Choudwar Circle Jail last year. Former jailor of the prison, Santoshini Dash, had previously accused him of manipulating the prison’s minute book and records and forging her signature.

Following Roul’s arrest, Dash lodged another complaint alleging that she was being pressured and threatened to withdraw her earlier complaint against him.

In her fresh complaint, Dash alleged that Roul was using contacts within and outside the prison department to pressure her into withdrawing the case. She also alleged that she had received messages seeking to persuade her to reach an agreement and claimed that she was subsequently contacted through other people after blocking the numbers from which the messages were allegedly sent.

All these allegations are also subject to investigation and have not been established by a court.

The government’s suspension order relates to the officials’ continued detention for more than 48 hours and does not itself determine the merits of the allegations or the criminal cases against them.

Govt to expedite restoration of 1,658 lift irrigation projects affected by rain and floods

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Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha has reviewed the repair and restoration of 1,658 lift irrigation projects under the Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC), with Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stressing the need to expedite work on projects affected by prolonged rainfall and flooding.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Energy, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pujari on Friday held detailed discussions on the restoration measures during a high-level review meeting.

Pujari directed officials to inspect the lift irrigation projects affected or damaged by the recent adverse weather and take necessary steps to speed up their restoration. The projects are important for irrigation, particularly for agricultural activities, and their restoration is being reviewed in the wake of the prolonged adverse weather conditions this year.

The Revenue and Disaster Management Minister also advised the Energy Department, Water Resources Department and the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner to work in close coordination to carry out the restoration activities.

The department said it has been undertaking continuous efforts to repair and restore projects and other works across different departments that have been affected by the prolonged adverse weather conditions this year. Pujari has also been holding regular reviews and discussions with various departments to accelerate restoration-related work.

The review meeting was held at the office of the Revenue Minister in the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Bishal Dev, Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department Shubha Sharma, officials from the Office of the Special Relief Commissioner and senior officials from the concerned departments attended the meeting.

Opposition steps up demand for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal as ECI dissent row intensifies

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New Delhi: Demands for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have intensified following reports of internal objections by two Election Commissioners over decisions concerning electoral rolls and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), with Opposition parties preparing a fresh removal motion in Parliament.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the two Election Commissioners objected to several decisions and orders that they alleged were taken or issued without their knowledge. The reported objections related to new voter registration, deletion and restoration of names from electoral rolls, appeals concerning voters, the handling of electoral-roll data and changes to the Election Commission’s IT systems.

The latest development came after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), led by Abhijeet Dipke, on Thursday demanded that Kumar resign within 48 hours and warned of a nationwide agitation, including what it described as “Jantar Mantar 2.0”, if he did not step down. The group also called for restoration of pre-SIR electoral rolls and an independent process for appointing Election Commissioners with participation from civil society.

Opposition parties are separately preparing to submit fresh notices in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seeking Kumar’s removal. An earlier notice submitted by Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha on April 24 remains pending. Congress has also been reaching out to other Opposition parties for a coordinated move on the issue.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has demanded Kumar’s resignation and alleged that the electoral process was being undermined. The BJP has rejected Gandhi’s allegations and criticised his claims. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Gandhi termed Kumar a “traitor” and demanded his resignation. He said warned that his party would not remain silent and watch India’s democracy “being destroyed”. 

Congress Party has intensified its campaign against the CEC, with its Delhi unit putting up posters demanding his removal. The party has also sought coordinated action by Opposition parties in Parliament.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has also demanded Kumar’s resignation, alleging that those responsible for the reported differences within the Election Commission should step down.

The CJP has also called for the Opposition to consider not participating in elections if it believes the process remains “rigged”, while demanding restoration of the earlier electoral rolls and changes to the system for selecting Election Commissioners. These are demands made by the organisation and do not constitute findings by the Election Commission or any court.

According to the Indian Express report, the two Commissioners — Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi — had, in several instances, objected to decisions or communications issued in the name of the Election Commission without what they said was their knowledge or approval. One written objection by Sandhu described an action taken against the written advice of the two Commissioners as “unauthorised and illegal”.

The reported disagreements included changes to Form 6, which is used by people seeking registration as voters. Joshi reportedly objected to a new declaration linked to the previous SIR, arguing that the statutory form could not be changed without amendments to the relevant rules. Sandhu subsequently supported the objection.

Sandhu and Joshi also raised concerns about the management and access of electoral-roll databases. The Indian Express report said they questioned the gradual centralisation of the electoral-roll database and raised concerns about new modules and portals being developed by the Election Commission’s IT division. They also questioned the authority behind appeals filed in West Bengal against orders concerning voters.

The Election Commission has rejected the suggestion that the reported objections demonstrate a breakdown within the poll panel. In a statement, the ECI said it had not disputed the existence of the internal notes but maintained that the decisions taken over the past 10 months, including those relating to SIR, were unanimous. It described differing views and observations as a normal part of institutional deliberation and said focusing on selected internal notes presented only one part of the decision-making process. The statement was signed by all three members of the Commission.

The controversy comes amid the nationwide SIR exercise, under which electoral rolls are being revised and verified. The reported internal objections have brought renewed attention to the procedures governing decisions within the three-member Election Commission, the administration of electoral-roll data and the safeguards surrounding changes to voter lists.

The dispute remains politically contested, with Opposition parties questioning the functioning of the poll panel, while the ECI maintains that its decisions have been unanimous and that internal differences are part of normal institutional deliberation.

Non-Resident Odias urged to help build a developed Odisha by 2036

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Bhubaneswar: Non-Resident Odias (NROs) have been urged to play a greater role in promoting the Odia language, literature, and culture across India and abroad while contributing to the vision of a developed Odisha by 2036.

The appeal was made on Thursday during a virtual meeting organised for Non-Resident Odias by the Odisha Paribar Directorate and the Odisha Sahitya Akademi under the aegis of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department.

The meeting was held on the occasion of Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das’s Odisha Return Commemoration Day and focused on the theme, “Role of Non-Resident Odias in Building a Developed Odisha 2036.”

Dr Chandra Sekhar Hota, Secretary of the Odisha Sahitya Akademi, presided over the meeting. He highlighted Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das’s contribution to the formation of a separate Odisha province and his efforts to unite Odias and establish a distinct identity for Odia language, literature, and culture.

Dr Hota said Odisha observes Odisha Return Commemoration Day on the day Madhusudan Das returned to Odisha after completing his studies in Kolkata. He also underlined the role of Non-Resident Odias in taking Odia culture to audiences across the world.

He expressed the view that NROs can make an important contribution to preserving Odia identity at the national and international levels and in advancing the goal of a Developed Odisha-2036.

Eminent litterateur Dash Benhur recalled the life and contribution of Madhusudan Das, particularly his role in the movement for a separate Odisha province.

He called upon Non-Resident Odias to continue promoting Odisha’s traditional art and culture as well as the culture of Shri Jagannath beyond the state and the country.

He also stressed the importance of upholding Odisha’s fame and glory through such cultural efforts.

Non-Resident Odias from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Dubai, London and other places participated in the virtual meeting. They shared details of activities being undertaken in different locations to promote and propagate Odia culture outside Odisha.

The participating NROs also expressed their commitment to giving the pride and glory of Odia identity and the Odia community a distinctive place on the global stage.

The meeting was conducted by Pritish Panda, Special Duty Officer of the Odisha Paribar Directorate.

Justice Bibhu Prasad Routray named Executive Chairman of Odisha SLSA

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Bhubaneswar: Justice Bibhu Prasad Routray, Judge of the High Court of Orissa, has been nominated as the new Executive Chairman of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) with immediate effect.

The Odisha government issued the notification on Thursday, under S.R.O. No. 770/2026. The nomination was made by the governor of Odisha in exercise of powers under Section 6(2)(b) of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Orissa.

Justice Routray succeeds Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak, who was serving as the Executive Chairman of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority.

Justice Pathak was appointed as a Judge of the Gujarat High Court through a government of India notification dated September 5, 2026. His appointment necessitated the nomination of a new Executive Chairman for the Odisha State Legal Services Authority.

The notification stated that Justice Routray will take charge of the position with immediate effect.

The order was issued by Pabitra Mohan Samal, Principal Secretary to the government of Odisha.