Sampad Patnaik

On Saturday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Union Minister for Culture, Mahesh Sharma, highlighting alleged irregularities in the Archaeological Survey of India’s restoration of Konark Temple, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

On the third day of the state’s flagship investment summit Make in Odisha (MIO), Patnaik addressed a gathering of bankers and women involved in Mission Shakti — a scheme to form SHGs and provide them with financial assistance.

The state government is keen to produce indigenously designed, developed and manufactured defence equipment for the country, which often involves high import costs, restrictions on niche technology, strict procedural requirements, permissions from multiple agencies and rapid obsolescence.

In the policy, the government places special incentives for units that will be set up in industrially backward districts, such as Kalahandi, Bolangir, Koraput and Malkangiri, among others. Units are also encouraged to employ people “domiciled in Odisha”.

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Monday welcomed the guests to the second edition of the state government’s flagship investment summit, Make in Odisha.

In the letter released to the press Sunday night, Patnaik wrote that as per a regional news report “40% of the artistic stone carvings of the existing Konark Sun Temple have been replaced by the ASI with plain stones”.

While BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said the Opposition's statements reeked of "jealousy", the state government's industries secretary Sanjeev Chopra said the investment implementation in Odisha has been "fair".

The Odisha High Court, which is not functioning since August, is also unable to hear matters that have important administrative and economic consequences for the state.

The tigress, Sundari, was tranquilized and captured Tuesday after a fortnight of tracking.

The group, Naba Nirman Krushak Sangathan (NNKS), is leading the agitation, demanding “price, prestige and pension” for the state’s farmers.

Speaking in BJD’s Jan Sampark Padyatra (public outreach rally) in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik on Friday told the audience that only his party has been consistent on this demand for special category.

In July last year, Nabin Swain (45) of Hugulapata village under Kukudakhandi block had hosted BJP leaders like Amit Shah, Dharmendra Pradhan, Arun Singh, Basant Panda and K V Singh Deo for lunch.

The lawyers went on strike on August 28 to protest one of them being assaulted by 4 policemen.

This is the second major change to the scheme, which the BJD hopes will rival the Centre's Ayushman Bharat.

Odisha’s Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) has come under fire after the deaths.

In a letter to the Bhubaneswar Airport Director, the DGCA stated, “There was no violation observed of DGCA rules and regulations.”

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September, the Veer Surendra Sai airport in Jharsuguda district is expected to boost investment and development in western Odisha.

A 1986-batch IPS officer of Odisha cadre, Rao was awarded the first Chief Minister’s award for Excellence in Governance and Innovation in Public Service for his outstanding work during Phailin and Hudhud cyclones in 2013-14.

Last month, Odisha Assembly Speaker Pradeep Amat approved the constitution of a special committee to probe if Iyer-Mitra’s alleged derogatory remarks on MLAs amounted to a breach of privilege.