Page 3 - Odisha

Odisha's economy to grow by 7.8 % during 2022-23: Economic Survey Report

Odisha's economy is estimated to grow by 7.8 per cent in real terms against the national rate of 7 per cent during the current financial year 2022-23, the state's economic survey report said. The state is also poised to register a growth in the range of 8 to 8.5 per cent in 2023-24 in real terms, the Odisha Economics Survey Report for the year 2022-23, tabled by Finance minister Niranjan Pujari in the Assembly said. Assuming a normal monsoon, no further disruption to global supply chains and moderation in inflation, Odisha can grow in the range of 8 to 8.5 per cent in 2023-24 in real terms, the report said, adding that the state is expected to grow at a rate higher than All-India average growth. The industry and service sectors have been the major engines of economic growth in the state, the report said. "During the pre-COVID period (2012-13 to 2019-20), the average growth rate of Odisha's economy was 7.1 per cent. The decade of 2021-30 is expected to work in favour of India given

Opposition BJP and Congress boycott Odisha Governor's address to Assembly

The Budget Session of Odisha Assembly on Tuesday began on a stormy note with opposition BJP and Congress boycotting Governor Ganeshi Lal's address to the House. Both the opposition parties also criticised the BJD government over the assassination of minister Naba Kishore Das in his home constituency of Jharsuguda and also on the prevailing law and order situation in the state. As soon as the House assembled for the day, Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra stood up and targeted the state government for "failing" to protect the life of a sitting minister following which his party MLAs rushed to well of the House. The opposition BJP members who were protesting by standing near their respective seats, later joined the Congress members in the well and raised anti-BJD slogans. As the Governor went on delivering his address to the House, BJP members first walked out of the House followed by Congress members. "We boycott the Governor's address as he (governor) is giving a

BJP MLAs walkout from all-party meet ahead of Odisha's Budget session

Opposition BJP legislators walked out of an all-party meeting convened by Odisha assembly Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha on Monday, a day before the budget session is slated to begin. The members of the saffron party walked out of the meeting demanding that no member be allowed to attend the proceedings of the House in virtual mode. As COVID-19 has subsided substantially and restrictions have been withdrawn, there is no need to allow any member to participate in House proceedings through virtual mode, Leader of Opposition Jaynarayan Mishra of BJP said. Pointing out that no state assembly or Parliament now allows members to attend the House proceedings through virtual mode, Mishra said therefore, the Odisha Assembly should also follow the all-India practice, and ask all legislators to be physically present in the House instead of attending it from their homes. They (the ruling party) are not listening to any of our issues and are doing whatever they want due to their majority in the

Odisha CM Patnaik lays foundation stone of projects worth Rs 1,448 cr

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday performed ground breaking for 17 industrial projects worth Rs 1,448 crore through the virtual mode.

Ambuja Cements declared preferred bidder for limestone block in Odisha

An e-auction was conducted by the Odisha government for the Uskalvagu limestone block, situated in Malkangiri district, and spread over an area of 547 hectares, the company said

Ambuja declared as preferred bidder for Uskalvagu limestone block in Odisha

Ambuja Cements Ltd, a part of Adani Cement on Thursday said it has been declared as the 'preferred bidder' for the Uskalvagu limestone block in Odisha. An e-auction was conducted by the Odisha government for the block, situated in Malkangiri district, Ambuja Cements said in regulatory filings. The Adani Group firm has not disclosed the bid amount for the block but said it is spread over an area of 547 hectare with estimated limestone resource of about 141 million tonne. "The company shall get the statutory licences and permits related to mining operations to be declared a successful bidder' and subsequently enter into a Mine Development and Production Agreement (MDPA)' with Government of Odisha to commence the mining operation," it said. Preferred bidders are those who are selected by the vendor with the intention to sell the business or award a contract, subject to the completion of terms and conditions. Ambuja Cements with its subsidiary ACC Ltd has a capacity of 67.5 million to

Odisha investing over Rs 2,500 crore in building sports infrastructure

The senior officers' conference, which was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on Tuesday, concluded on Wednesday

President Droupadi Murmu visits Lingaraj Temple on second day in Odisha

Addressing the 2nd Convocation of Rama Devi Women's University, the President recalled the days - she spent at this University (then college) as a student

Prez Droupadi Murmu to begin 2-day visit to her home state Odisha today

President Droupadi Murmu will arrive in Odisha, her home state, on Friday on a two-day visit to attend official functions. After reaching Bhubaneswar at around 11.45 am, the President will attend the foundation day programme of Jnanaprabha Mission, a charitable organisation. Later, she will be present at the convocation of Rama Devi Women's University, her alma mater. She completed her BA from the then college in 1979. On Saturday, Murmu will first pay a visit to the Lord Lingaraj temple and then inaugurate the second Indian Rice Congress at the National Rice Research Institute in Cuttack. This will be Murmu's second visit to her home state after assuming the highest constitutional position in the country in July last year.

Towns in Odisha to get 5G, 1,814 villages to get 4G by December: official

All urban areas in Odisha will get 5G connectivity by December, while 1,814 villages will get 4G network by that time, an official said on Wednesday. In Odisha, 5G connectivity was launched on January 5 with services in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar through 510 BTSs (base terminal stations), Department of Telecom's deputy director-general BK Nayak said, adding that at present, 13 districts are being served with 5G services by Reliance Jio and nine districts by Airtel. "It is in the rollout phase now to cover all major cities by March 2023, and all cities and towns by December 2023," he said. Total 1,814 villages in the state will be covered by 4G services at an approximate cost of Rs 2,000 crore with a target to complete the project by December, Nayak said. The project is being implemented by BSNL, he said. So far, 42,425 villages have 2G, 3G and 4G services with 25,115 towers. The state has 3.32 crore subscribers, he said. The telecom density in the state was 80 per cent against the .

Dharmendra Pradhan expresses concern over Odisha's law and order situation

Expressing concern over the law and order situation in Odisha, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday said the state government has no clue why an on-duty policeman shot dead health minister Naba Kishore Das. Talking to reporters, Pradhan said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who also holds the Home portfolio, has not spoken publicly on the killing of the influential minister other than condoling his death. "No one has a clue why an on-duty policeman shot dead a minister from point blank range with a gun provided by the government. And one week after the incident, the DG is saying 'we have hope in Jagannath'. It shows the law and order situation of the state," he said. Das, 60, breathed his last on January 29 evening, hours after he was shot by the policeman at Gandhi Chhak in Brajrajnagar area of Jharsuguda district, where he had gone to attend an event. "There is no clarity on the role of the retired high court judge who has been assigned to monitor the investigation. The reti

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik launches projects worth Rs 1,600 crore in Koraput

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday inaugurated a slew of projects in Koraput worth Rs 200 crore and laid foundation stones of many more, estimated to cost Rs 1,400 crore, besides calling upon youth to take part in nation-building. Patnaik also attended the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Vikramdev University, and announced the construction of a state-of-the-art auditorium on its campus. "The auditorium will have 1,000 seats and will be constructed at an investment of Rs 8 crore," the chief minister stated. He advised students to work towards fulfilling personal dreams as well as those of their families and the entire state. "Education enhances the potential within us. You (students) should read good books and stay connected to your roots," Patnaik stressed. Noting that the tribal-dominated district has always held a special place in his heart, the CM said steps are being taken to develop the infrastructure in Koraput. Highlighting his government's Mission Shakti prog

Prez Murmu to undertake 2-day visit to Odisha on Feb 10, to attend event

President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to undertake a two-day visit to Odisha on February 10. She will attend the second convocation of Rama Devi Women's University in the state capital during her two-day visit to the state. Sources said, it was the President herself, who had earlier evinced interest to attend the convocation of her alma mater and wrote to the Governor and Chancellor of the University, Ganeshi Lal, expressing her willingness for the same. This will be the second visit of Murmu to Odisha after taking charge of the highest office in India in July, 2022. As per the President's itinerary, she will reach Bhubaneswar at about 11.45 am on February 10 and will attend a function marking the Foundation Day of Jnanaprabha Mission. She is scheduled to attend Second Convocation of Rama Devi Women's University in the afternoon. Murmu completed her graduation from Rama Devi Women's College in 1979. She was conferred with an honorary degree on its first convocation after the colle

Minister died due to cardiogenic shock after being shot, says report

Odisha police Wednesday said that the post-mortem report of the slain health minister Naba Kishore Das suggested that he died due to cardiogenic shock after being shot. The shooter, dismissed additional sub-inspector Gopal Das, has been remanded to four-day police custody and his interrogation is being conducted by the state CID. The police will now organise a forensic psychological assessment of the accused by experts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in New Delhi, it said. The Odisha police said in a statement, The post-mortem report suggests that the death was caused due to cardiogenic shock as a result of firearm injuries and is homicidal in nature. The additional director general of police, CID-Crime, Odisha, Arun Bothra is camping at the spot and personally monitoring and supervising the investigation into the case. The CID team is examining witnesses, including supporters of the dead minister who were present at the spot during the firing on January 29, 2023, whi

Odisha: Slain minister's security officer suspended on dereliction for duty

The Odisha Police on Wednesday suspended slain minister Naba Kishore Das' personal security officer on the charge of dereliction of duty. Brajarajnagar Police Station inspector-in-charge Pradyumna Kumar Swain and Gandhi Chhak Police Outpost in-charge Sashibhusan Podha were also transferred from their place of posting, an official said. The move comes after the state government had on Tuesday transferred Jharsuguda superintendent of police and Brajrajnagar sub-divisional police officer following the killing of the minister. Das, 60, breathed his last on January 29 evening, hours after he was shot by a policeman at Gandhi Chhak in Brajrajnagar area of Jharsuguda district, where he had gone to attend an event. The Odisha Police had on Monday dismissed Assistant Sub Inspector Gopal Das from service after arresting him for allegedly gunning down Das. Slain minister Naba Kishore Das' personal security officer Mitrabhanu Deo has been placed under suspension on the charge of dereliction o

ASI Gopal Das had clear intention to kill Odisha health minister: FIR

The Odisha Police in its FIR in the killing of Health minister Naba Kishore Das said the accused assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gopal Das had "clear intention" to kill the minister. This was stated by Brajrajnagar Police Station inspector-in charge (IIC) Pradumnya Kumar Swain, who was present at the site when the ASI allegedly opened fire at the 60-year-old minister, leading to his death after some hours during treatment on Sunday. "All of a sudden, ASI Gopal Das of Gandhi Chowk Police Outpost, who was deployed for traffic clearance duty for the programme, came close to the minister and opened fire from his service pistol from a very close range aiming at the minister with a clear intention to kill him," the IIC said his complaint at Brajrajnagar Police station. Swain, who sustained bullet injury on his ring finger from the second round allegedly fired by the ASI, said that police officers/men of different units were mobilised and deployed on January 29, 2023 from 10.30 am onwards to

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Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, CM Patnaik pay last respect to Naba Das

Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and many other dignitaries from different walks of life on Monday paid their tributes to deceased minister Naba Kishore Das, who was gunned down allegedly by a policeman at Brajrajnagar town in Jharsuguda district. The chief minister, who had on Sunday visited the hospital twice during hospitalization and after Das's death, on Monday morning again visited the minister's official residence where his mortal remains were kept. Both the governor and CM also met the family members of Das and expressed their condolences. Many ministers, MPs, MLAs, former lawmakers, BJP state president Samir Mohanty and Congress leaders also visited Das's official residence. The state government also accorded Guard of Honour to the departed minister. Later, the minister's body was taken to the BJD party office where hundreds of people made a beeline to pay their last respect to Das. His body would be flown to his native place in Jharsuguda where t

Mortal remains of Odisha minister Naba Das brought to official residence

Health Minister Naba Das was shot at in Brajarajnagar in the Jharsuguda district and succumbed to his bullet injuries in Bhubaneswar hospital

Odisha minister Naba Kishore Das shot at by cop in chest, dies of injuries

Odisha's Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das died of bullet injuries on Sunday, Apollo Hospital officials said. Earlier in the day, Das was shot and grievously injured when he got out of his car, allegedly by a police officer who was captured. The injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart. He was given urgent ICU care. But, despite best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries, a statement issued by the hospital said.