Chief Minister’s Tribal Livelihood Mission in Umarkote Empowers Tribal Youth Entrepreneurs
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Chief Minister’s Tribal Livelihood Mission in Umarkote Empowers Tribal Youth Entrepreneurs

Nabarangpur : Under the Chief Minister’s Tribal Livelihood Mission, a special event was organized today by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA), Nabarangpur, in the premises of the Block Agriculture Office at Umarkote.

The event was inaugurated by Shri Nityananda Gond, Minister of Mass Education, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Department, who attended as the chief guest. The program included the distribution of pump sets and irrigation equipment, as well as financial assistance for tribal youth entrepreneurs from Umarkote and Raighar.

A total of 910 tribal beneficiaries from Jharigaon and Chandahandi blocks received pump sets, while 970 individuals from ten different blocks were provided with sprayers. Additionally, five tribal youth entrepreneurs from the district were each granted financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh to support their business ventures. Furthermore, the Alek Mahi Maa Self-Help Group of Umarkote block was given a work order for goat farming.

The event was also graced by the presence of notable guests including MP Balabhadra Majhi, Jharigaon MLA Narsingh Bhatra, District Council Vice-President Lipika Baroi, Minister’s representative Shri Ashok Padhi, Raighar Block Chairperson Gupt Prasad Jhankar, and PI ITDA Rajeev Kumar Sahu.

The program was coordinated by Project Director Shri Gobinda Kumar.

Complete Repeal Demanded for 2020 Compassionate Appointment Law
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Complete Repeal Demanded for 2020 Compassionate Appointment Law

Bhubaneswar Various employee unions and pensioners are now demanding a complete repeal of the 2020 Compassionate Appointment Law, which was enacted during the BJD government’s tenure.

Back in 1990, the state government had introduced a compassionate appointment policy to provide immediate support to the families of government employees who died in service. Under this law, a dependent—based on eligibility—was appointed to a Group C or D post to alleviate financial hardship. Provisions were made for minimum educational qualifications and age limits depending on the situation. The BJD government later amended the law in 2016. However, the new law enacted in 2020 removed several provisions, making many dependents ineligible for such appointments.

While the previous law was still in effect, many compassionate appointments were granted after long delays and multiple reviews. In some cases, even medical board reports declaring widowed wives physically unfit were disregarded, and their children were denied jobs under various pretexts. A committee under the General Administration Department was also mandated to approve such appointments.

Numerous cases were filed from the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) up to the Supreme Court, with appointments only granted after lengthy legal battles and significant expenses incurred by both the government and affected families.

A controversial clause (Clause 9) in the 2020 law stated that applications filed before the enactment of the new law (by families of employees who had died earlier) would be considered under the old laws. However, the judiciary later declared this clause unconstitutional. In the Malayānanda Sethi case, the Supreme Court criticized the state government for delays in appointment and directed it to process the case under the old law, ultimately leading to his appointment in the Excise Department.

Following this, many High Court and Supreme Court judgments directed the state to consider such cases under previous provisions. However, the state government has been challenging these orders, filing hundreds of cases, and incurring massive legal expenses from the public exchequer.

Meanwhile, many dependents—struggling financially after the untimely death of the family’s earning member—have been unable to afford long legal battles or travel to Delhi for justice.

Amid this, the Odisha government, through a notification on April 4, announced a revision allowing dependents of employees who died before the 2020 law came into effect to be appointed under the 1990 or 2016 rules, based on financial hardship. While many organizations have welcomed this move, they continue to urge the government to completely withdraw the 2020 Compassionate Appointment Law.

Minister Prithviraj Harichandan: The Visionary Behind Chilika’s Development
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Minister Prithviraj Harichandan: The Visionary Behind Chilika’s Development

Banpur: Prithviraj Harichandan, the Minister of Law, Excise, and Prohibition—key departments of the Odisha Government—is rapidly advancing the development of the state as well as his own constituency, Chilika. His efficiency in departmental management, knowledge, and disciplined conduct have made him increasingly popular in Chilika, while also solidifying his influence within the state cabinet.

Prioritizing development, Minister Harichandan is tirelessly working towards creating a prosperous and modern Chilika. Keeping the growth of his constituency in focus, he has announced several development projects. He also places significant importance on public grievances, listening to hundreds of complaints each day and actively working towards their resolution.

The Minister is regularly present at various social events—big and small—across the Chilika constituency, further strengthening public trust in him. With strong willpower, foresight, and a people-first approach, Minister Harichandan is accelerating the pace of development in Chilika.

Aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for a “Developed India” and “Developed Odisha,” Minister Harichandan is emerging as the key architect in realizing the dream of a “Developed Chilika.”

UAS Attendance System to Be Implemented in Schools Starting from 10th
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UAS Attendance System to Be Implemented in Schools Starting from 10th

Bhubaneswar,: From the 10th of this month, the Unified Automation System (UAS) module for attendance will be implemented for teachers and students in schools. The OSEPA (Odisha School Education Programme Authority) has issued directives to District Education Officers regarding this.

Training programs for district- and block-level master trainers were conducted in OKAK computer labs between March 6 and 13. Instructions had been given to complete orientation programs for CRCs (Cluster Resource Coordinators) and headmasters regarding this module by March 29.

In districts where the training hasn’t yet been completed, it must be finished by the 9th. All schools have been instructed to begin school monitoring through the UAS module along with attendance from the 10th.

Government Begins Transfer of 390 Acres of Land in Nandapur
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Government Begins Transfer of 390 Acres of Land in Nandapur

Nandapur After the Nageswari hill in Balda was granted bauxite mining rights and auctioned, the district administration has begun the process of transferring government land to the mining leaseholder. This is to compensate for the forest land that will be destroyed during mining by creating an equivalent amount of forest elsewhere.

As per the District Collector’s office letter no. 1147/XXVI-111/11/1019196, the transfer process has begun for a total of 390 acres and 416 cents of government land located in two revenue villages under the Khunbar and Hathibari panchayats in Nandapur block. The process is being handled by the Nandapur tehsil, under case number 2/25 and process number 2567/25.

The tehsil office has issued a notice asking the residents of 11 villages under Hathibari panchayat and 6 villages under Khunbar panchayat to submit any objections in writing within 15 days.

On the other hand, after receiving the notice, the residents of both panchayats—Hathibari (11 villages) and Khunbar (6 villages)—have expressed dissatisfaction. During the land identification process in August 2023, they had already submitted written objections opposing the identification process through the Nandapur BDO, tehsildar, forest officer, and SDPO to the Chief Minister, Mining Ministry, and District Collector. However, since those objections were seemingly ignored and the transfer process is ongoing, the villagers have now united.

Following the tehsildar’s directive, they plan to resubmit their objections, each stamped with a court fee of Rs. 20, from Tuesday till the 12th of the month, on a village-wise basis. This has been informed by local representatives and intellectuals of the two panchayats.

From the transferred land:

292 acres and 614 cents are from Kandara village in Hathibari panchayat.

97 acres and 802 cents are from Khunbar mouza.

It has been indicated that the transfer process will only be considered after public opinion is gathered.

Kotpad Town Thrives with Festive Spirit as Ram Navami Celebrated at Ram Temple
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Kotpad Town Thrives with Festive Spirit as Ram Navami Celebrated at Ram Temple

Kotpad : Kotpad witnessed a grand celebration of Ram Navami, observed with great pomp and traditional rituals. The day began with early morning puja ceremonies at the Ram Temple, followed by a massive rally. The entire city resonated with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and was lit up with saffron and orange attire, as devotees danced to DJ music. The whole city reflected a festive look with grand decorations.

Large portraits of Lord Ram were displayed at various intersections. At Gandhi Chhak, idols and religious flags were installed, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of “Ram Rajya” (Lord Ram’s ideal kingdom). Special arrangements like distribution of drinking water, curd-based drinks (dahi pana), and sweets were made for the devotees at different junctions.

The event was well-organized under the supervision of Kotpad Tehsildar Neel Chakanta Naidu, Police Officer Parmananda Sunani, and committee chairman Seethanath B. Vishwal, with full cooperation from the police department to maintain order and discipline.

Today’s event was graced by Kotpad MLA Rupu Bhattarai, MP representative Rameshwar Jena, MLA representative Binayak Acharya, former MLA Chandrashekhar Majhi, NAC Chairman M. Shankar Rao, Arkala Sangha President Mani Pattnaik, along with several intellectuals and party workers from all factions, who fully supported the celebration.

In an Act of Love: Sister Donates Brother’s Organs After His Untimely Death
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In an Act of Love: Sister Donates Brother’s Organs After His Untimely Death

Sunabeda: After death, a young man’s body has given life to others—Ashish Tual Singh from Damanjodi-Mathalput area. After his death in an accident, his sister Sasmita Tual Singh, at the request of the medical authorities, donated his organs, thus keeping him alive in others.

Reportedly, on April 1, near Sunabeda ‘B’ Zone Golai Chhak, Ashish met with a serious accident when his bike collided with a car. He was critically injured. The ASI of Sunabeda Police Station, Balakrishna Rath, along with his team, reached the spot and rushed Ashish first to the local hospital and later shifted him to Koraput Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College & Hospital due to his critical condition.

As his condition worsened, he was again referred to a private hospital in Visakhapatnam, where he passed away on Saturday night during treatment. After his death, his sister Sasmita informed that Ashish’s organs—liver, kidneys, and eyes—were donated to the medical authorities.

Ashish’s father, Prasna Tual Singh, passed away in 2021 and his mother in 2024. Ashish was living at his sister’s house in Sunabeda DP Camp and was working as an apprentice at a local factory.

A case has been registered at Sunabeda Police Station under No. 65/25. ASI Rath is investigating the incident. The car (registration OEX 9888) and the bike (registration OR-10H–7493) have been seized by the pol

Scorching Heat and Rising Costs: LPG Cylinder Price Hike Hits Common People Hard
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Scorching Heat and Rising Costs: LPG Cylinder Price Hike Hits Common People Hard

Bhubaneswar: In the scorching heat, the common people face a big blow as LPG cylinder prices increase Gas cylinder price hiked  In the scorching heat, the common people are hit hard  LPG cylinder price has increased Price of a 14 kg gas cylinder hiked by Rs 50 Under the Ujjwala Yojana, the price increased from ₹503 to ₹553 Price of other gas cylinders increased from Rs 803 to Rs 853 The new rates will be effective from tomorrow, i.e., April 8

Sambad Sahityaghara Hosts Monthly Literary Gathering Celebrating Local Voices
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Sambad Sahityaghara Hosts Monthly Literary Gathering Celebrating Local Voices

Jeypore : The monthly literary gathering of Sambad Sahityaghara was held under the chairmanship of Udayashankar Jani. Editor Ashok Maharana and esteemed guest Dr. Deviprasad Hota were present on the dais. During the event, discussions were held regarding the upcoming annual festival. It was also decided to include new members and to collect manuscripts for the organization’s official publication.

The second session featured poetry recitations. Participants included Bhavachandrika Devi, Janaki Panigrahi, Abinash Santrapathra, Dr. Sudhansusekhar Pattnaik, Geetanjali Padhi, Sanghamitra Bhukta, Shobagini Nanda, Pramod Kumar Raul, Mamata Mahapatra, Rajeshwari Nanda, Bairagi Charan Sahu, Tarini Prasad Mishra, Kanakalata Rath, Smita Rath, G. Mahesh, Sudhir Chandra Sahu, Ajay Mallik, Narayan Sagar, Soumyaranjan Lenka, Ananta Bijay Dhibar, Sandhyarani Sahu, Saraswati Sahu, Saloni Nayak, Tapaswini Sahu, Manjula Pattnaik, Suresh Hota, Nrusingha Prasad Sadhangi, and Niranjan Panigrahi, among others.

The event was conducted and anchored by Ashok Kumar Palai.

742 Farmers Register for Rabi Season in Nabarangpur
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742 Farmers Register for Rabi Season in Nabarangpur

Nabarangpur: As of Sunday, a total of 742 farmers in Nabarangpur district have registered to sell paddy during the current Rabi season. Out of these, 331 farmers registered at LAMPS centers in Nabarangpur, Nandahandi, and Umerkote; 197 farmers registered through two SHG groups; and 314 farmers registered through two Pani Panchayats. Monday is the last date for registration.

According to the District Supply Officer, due to the increased paddy price this year compared to the previous Rabi season, 329 more farmers have registered than last year. Since Nabarangpur is a non-irrigated area, farmers have cultivated paddy using water sources such as river banks, lift irrigation, deep borewells, and check dams.