
Odisha HC raps govt over Cuttack drain project, questions pvt firm's role
The division bench of Justices SK Sahoo and V Narasingh expressed concern over 'startling' discrepancies in the DPRs submitted by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC). The court observed that the DPRs lacked official authentication and no names of the officials involved in their preparation were mentioned, which is a significant deviation from standard procedure.
The court said more disturbingly, during a review meeting on April 30, 2025, the city engineer of CMC was represented by a private consultancy firm based in Bhubaneswar, raising questions over its authority and role. 'There is nothing on record to indicate how the private company could represent a government official,' the bench remarked.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
CMC Vellore, Federal Bank sign MOUs for new pharmacy college, treatment for cancer patients
The Christian Medical College (CMC) and Federal Bank Steps Forward have signed two MOUs on Tuesday to construct a new pharmacy college in Vellore and financially support cancer patients' care under the Sanjeevani initiative, a CSR initiative of the bank. According to a press release, the agreement was exchanged between K.V.S. Manian, Managing Director and CEO, Federal Bank, and Dr. Vikram Mathews, Director, CMC Vellore. 'With these MOUs, we are looking forward to further expanding our reach in education and holistic care for cancer patients,' Mr. Mathews, CMC director, said. The construction of a new pharmacy college at CMC's Bagayam campus in Vellore is supported by Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation with a grant of ₹13.73 crore. On a 2.5-acre plot, the new college will be a 40,476-square-foot facility. The pharmacy college will be the first of its kind in Vellore district to train a new generation of pharmacists in the highest standards of pharmacy education. The college will be equipped with laboratories, lecture halls and research facilities, ensuring that the students receive world-class education that will prepare them for the complexities of modern-day pharmacy practice. With an expected annual intake of 60 undergraduate students, the college is slated to commence admissions for the academic year 2026–27. 'Cancer continues to be one of the most formidable challenges of our time, impacting families not only medically, but also emotionally and financially. We needed partners we could bank on, and CMC Vellore has stood out as a beacon of trust and excellence,' Mr. Manian, bank's MD, said. Additionally, the partnership for cancer patient support under the Sanjeevani initiative of Federal Bank, which began last year (2024), will continue in 2025 too. A total of 764 cancer patients have received subsidies for cancer treatment at CMC Vellore, for pre-diagnostic tests, treatment like chemotherapy and radiotherapy and for medication under the initiative, the release said.


New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Odisha HC raps govt over Cuttack drain project, questions pvt firm's role
CUTTACK: In a scathing order, the Orissa High Court has pulled up the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department over serious lapses in the preparation and handling of detailed project reports (DPRs) for construction of five major storm water drains in Cuttack under the branch surface water channel (BSWC) project, worth over `335 crore. The division bench of Justices SK Sahoo and V Narasingh expressed concern over 'startling' discrepancies in the DPRs submitted by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC). The court observed that the DPRs lacked official authentication and no names of the officials involved in their preparation were mentioned, which is a significant deviation from standard procedure. The court said more disturbingly, during a review meeting on April 30, 2025, the city engineer of CMC was represented by a private consultancy firm based in Bhubaneswar, raising questions over its authority and role. 'There is nothing on record to indicate how the private company could represent a government official,' the bench remarked.


New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Consecration done at 3,325 temples in Tamil Nadu in last four years: Minister Sekarbabu
ERODE: Under the Dravidian model of governance, temple renovations have been prioritised, and nearly Rs 1,400 crore has been received through sponsors for such renovations, said Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister PK Sekarbabu, in Erode on Sunday. Speaking to reporters, he said, 'Kumbabhishekam has been performed in 3,325 temples under the DMK regime. Further, consecration will be conducted in 46 temples, including at the Thiruparankundram temple on Monday. By the end of this year, renovation work will be completed at 3,500 temples and Kumbabhishekam will be performed. Renovations are under way at Palani and Tiruchendur temples, and Rs 54 crore has been allocated to create an alternative route at Tiruttani temple. Steps are also being taken to install elevators at Swamimalai and Marudhamalai.' 'After the DMK came to power, renovations are under way at many temples. More temple renovations are taking place under the DMK government than during the regime of kings. The government is going to erect the tallest Murugan statue, at 186 feet, at the Velayudhaswamy Temple in Thindal of Erode district, and the work will begin soon.' Earlier, Sekarbabu and Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy visited the Velayudhaswamy temple.