
ULB-level grievance drive to begin in Odisha today
It will focus on prompt redressal of complaints from citizens received through multiple platforms including the Jana Sunani portal, Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) and ULB-level helpdesks.
H&UD officials said all commissioners of municipal corporations and executive officers of municipalities and NACs have been directed to mobilise teams and streamline grievance-handling mechanisms to ensure that all backlog grievances are addressed within the said period.
'The main objective of the special drive is to promptly address grievances related to sanitation, water supply, street lighting, drainage, waste management, building plan approvals and other civic services and restore public trust in good governance,' said an official from the department.
He said the department has instructed the civic bodies to submit an action taken report (ATR) by July 29 on the drive highlighting the number of grievances resolved, system-level improvements made, and citizen feedback received.
Hashtags

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


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Priced out of the American Dream: How new H-1B rules are deepening inequality
In the sunlit classrooms of top American universities, international students have long pursued the H-1B visa as a logical next step, a bridge from academic excellence to professional opportunity. For decades, it symbolized merit, upward mobility, and a fair shot at the American dream. But a new shift in US immigration policy is poised to redraw that bridge, replacing its foundations of chance and academic achievement with one built squarely on salary figures. The Biden administration's proposed overhaul of the H-1B visa system, replacing the existing random lottery with a wage-level-based selection mechanism, is being framed as a measure to reward skill and restore integrity. But beneath the surface lies a sharper, more divisive reality: a growing disparity that privileges wealth over potential, experience over promise, and corporate scale over entrepreneurial ambition. The end of the lottery and the beginning of the pay-to-compete era Until now, H-1B hopefuls were entered into a random lottery when applications exceeded the annual limit, 65,000 regular cap slots, plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders from US institutions. It was a system imperfect, yes, but egalitarian in its essence. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo An entry-level coder had the same statistical odds as a machine learning architect. That paradigm is now at risk. Under the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed rule, priority will be given to those offered higher wages, ranked according to Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) wage levels, from Level I (entry-level) to Level IV (expert-level). In simple terms: the bigger your paycheck, the better your odds of securing a visa. What this means is seismic. An international graduate fresh out of an Ivy League computer science programme, earning $83,000 at a promising startup (Level I), may now lose out to a mid-career hire drawing $150,000 at a tech conglomerate (Level IV), even if both possess equal talent, and the graduate is US-educated. A system tilted toward the elite For tech giants flush with capital, this change is welcome. No longer will they have to compete on a level playing field with smaller startups or mid-sized firms trying to sponsor international talent. They can simply outbid. And for American workers, particularly those with growing concerns about wage suppression, the reform may appear protective on paper. By discouraging the hiring of lower-paid H-1B workers, the hope is to reduce exploitation and preserve wages. Yet critics warn that the very workers these rules aim to shield may now face intensified competition from higher-paid foreign professionals, who will be favored over domestic mid-tier talent due to their specialization and salary levels. But the most immediate impact will be on the international student community, especially those transitioning from F-1 to H-1B status. For them, this isn't just policy—it's personal. Innovation at risk: A startup squeeze Beyond individual dreams, this rule could stifle innovation. Startups—long seen as engines of disruptive growth—often operate on tight margins and cannot match the salaries of multinational corporations. With limited ability to offer Level III or IV wages, their access to global talent could be choked. In essence, this creates a dual-track immigration economy: one reserved for those with institutional might and another fading away for risk-takers, early-career professionals, and the underfunded visionaries. A shift in philosophy, not just policy Proponents argue the wage-based system aligns better with a merit-driven immigration model. But in doing so, it risks conflating compensation with competence. Salary may be a market signal, but it is not always a proxy for skill, especially across fields like academia, research, and public service, where salaries lag behind private industry. An AI researcher at a university lab might earn far less than a data engineer at a bank, despite offering more specialized knowledge. By elevating salary as the singular metric of worth, the US risks overlooking entire sectors of value and impact. A call for balance and equity The new rule is currently under White House review, with a period for public comment. It is not yet final, but its implications are already reverberating across campuses and corporate HR departments alike. The intention may be to restore fairness, but fairness cannot exist in a system where opportunity is priced, and potential is dismissed for lack of immediate profit. To preserve its reputation as a destination for the world's brightest minds, the United States must strike a balance, rewarding genuine skill and curbing abuse, without closing the door on those just beginning their journey. Immigration policy must be rooted not only in economic logic but in a recognition of human ambition, educational investment, and long-term contribution. Until then, the message to many aspiring immigrants is unmistakable: If you can't afford the price of entry, the American dream may no longer be yours to dream. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump to Silicon Valley: Your …. has left millions of Americans feeling distrustful and betrayed
US President Donald Trump delivered a sharp rebuke to American technology giants on Wednesday, criticizing them for building factories in China and hiring workers from India while neglecting American citizens. Speaking at an AI Summit in Washington, Trump declared that "those days are over" under his administration. "For too long, much of America's tech industry pursued a radical globalism that left millions of Americans feeling distrustful and betrayed," Trump said, according to PTI. The President accused major tech companies of exploiting American freedoms while outsourcing jobs overseas. "Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India and slashing profits in Ireland," Trump stated, reports PTI. "All the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home. Under President Trump, those days are over." Trump says winning AI race demand a new spirit of patriotism and national loyalty by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 3 minutes, if you own a mouse Undo During the summit, Trump signed three executive orders aimed at strengthening America's artificial intelligence capabilities. The orders include a White House action plan to bolster the domestic AI sector and promote exports of comprehensive American AI technology packages. "Winning the AI race will demand a new spirit of patriotism and national loyalty in Silicon Valley and long beyond Silicon Valley," Trump emphasized, calling for tech companies to prioritize American interests. The President urged US technology firms to demonstrate greater commitment to domestic workers. "We need US technology companies to be all in for America. We want you to put America first. You have to do that. That's all we ask," he added, as reported by PTI. Not Trump's first warning to tech giants This isn't the first time Trump has warned tech companies about hiring immigrants. During his previous tenure in August 2020, he signed the " Hire American " executive order, which restricted federal agencies from contracting H-1B visa holders and mandated hiring American workers for government jobs. Trump's consistent messaging reflects his broader "America First" policy framework, which seeks to prioritize domestic workers over foreign talent in key sectors. "H-1B should be used for top highly paid talent to create American jobs, not as inexpensive labour programmes and destroy American jobs," Trump had declared while signing that order.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
What are new weightage level rules of US H-1B visa? Important things students must know
In a country where a six-figure job offer once meant a golden ticket to an H-1B visa, change is in the air, this time in the form of a more calculated, wage-driven selection process. The United States is poised to move away from its long-standing random H-1B lottery system and toward a wage-level-based selection model, reshaping the future of work for thousands of aspiring immigrants and international students. While the new system won't affect the 2026 H-1B quota, already maxed out, it signals a bold philosophical shift in how the US will define merit, skill, and value in its immigration framework. What is changing? Under the current system, H-1B petitions are selected by lottery when applications exceed the statutory cap of 65,000 general slots and 20,000 additional slots for individuals with advanced degrees from US universities. This approach, though administratively neutral, has long been criticised for failing to prioritise skill, experience, or even sectoral needs. Now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes a wage-based ranking mechanism. Echoing a shelved rule from the Trump administration, the new plan will prioritize visa allocations according to Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) wage levels, starting from Level IV (highest salaries) and moving down through Levels III, II, and finally I (entry-level). This fundamentally changes the game. The wage-level breakdown: Level I (Entry-Level): ~$83,000 Level II (Qualified): ~$108,000 Level III (Experienced): ~$127,000 Level IV (Fully Competent): ~$151,000 These tiers are defined by the Department of Labor's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes and are tied to job responsibilities and market rates in specific geographic regions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Shop Sale Libas Undo Who gains and who loses? American tech professionals, especially those at senior and mid-level positions, have welcomed the change. For years, critics argued that the lottery system allowed companies, particularly outsourcing firms, to fill junior positions with lower-paid foreign talent, undercutting domestic wages. With wage-based prioritization, the hope is to restore integrity to the system and ensure that only highly skilled, well-compensated foreign workers are considered. On the other side of the spectrum, international graduates fresh out of US universities will find the road far more difficult. Entry-level H-1B sponsorships are likely to decline sharply, as employers face lower odds of success when offering Level I wages. Startups and smaller companies, too, may struggle to compete with tech giants able to pay top-tier salaries and secure visas more reliably. Moreover, this could create unintended friction at the top: mid-level H-1B talent with higher salaries could end up competing with seasoned American professionals for leadership-track roles—raising questions about displacement at the upper echelons of the workforce. A shift in immigration philosophy This is not just a procedural tweak. It represents a seismic reorientation of how the US views merit-based immigration. No longer will chance determine access to one of the world's most coveted work visas. Instead, the market, expressed through wage offers, will drive selection. But that also means the H-1B becomes less a pathway for potential and more a reward for economic leverage. Not without controversy Critics argue that wages do not always equate to skill, especially across industries, locations, or roles. For instance, an AI researcher at a university might earn less than a mid-level engineer in a corporate tech firm. Should the system automatically favour the latter? And what about public service sectors, research institutions, and emerging startups that drive innovation but operate with tighter budgets? The proposal is currently under White House review and will go through a period of public comment. But the message is clear: the United States is tightening the screws on how it selects high-skilled foreign workers, and money now talks louder than ever. What students must know Entry-level H-1B chances will sharply decline Only higher-paying offers will stand a chance under the new rule F-1 to H-1B transitions could become far more difficult STEM graduates should explore employer pathways offering Level II+ wages Startups may no longer be the most visa-friendly options Consider long-term planning for green cards earlier Stay updated on White House reviews and DHS rule finalization timelines In this evolving landscape, international students and skilled workers must recalibrate expectations. The age of H-1B as a gateway to opportunity may not be over, but it is undoubtedly being remapped, with salary slips now replacing luck as the ultimate key to the American dream. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!