Even as the IMD made it clear that the cyclonic storm Mahasen would have no major impact on the state as it would move towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coast, the Odisha government on Monday put 10 coastal districts under alert for meeting any eventuality.

Terming as shocking and unfortunate Union finance minister P Chidambaram reported statement favouring special category status to Bihar before report of a sub-committee, ruling BJD on Monday accused Congress of working against the interest of Odisha.

Even after operation of the exclusive Kaniha Opencast Coal Mine at a stone-throw distance on May 2 this year,

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to personally intervene and take appropriate steps for according Special Category State status to Odisha.

Chief secretary BK Patnaik today asked the concerned departments to specify sensitive zone for each sanctuary with proper verification of actual field situation.

The state government has asked the concerned departments to use Odisha Sampad atlas to identify bottleneck in rural connectivity with special emphasis on the districts in the Tribal Sub-Plan areas.

The Odisha government today decided to formulate a legal regulatory framework soon to check the arbitrary exploitation of patients by private hospitals.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each for the families of eight villagers who were killed by a rampaging wild bear.

Land acquisition began for the proposed Rs 52,000 crore Posco steel plant in Jagatsinghpur district but project supporters opposed any move to construct boundary wall before announcement of a rehabilitation and reconstruction (R and R) package for affected villagers.

In response to a petition from human rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy that the villagers were forcibly asked to vacate their lands for the Lower Suktel dam in Balangir district