Latest news with #Majhi
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Samal travels to Delhi amid state cabinet expansion buzz
1 2 Bhubaneswar: BJP state president Manmohan Samal, accompanied by party general secretary (organisation) Manas Mohanty, travelled to Delhi on Tuesday amid speculations about an impending expansion of the council of ministers in the state. The visit, which comes a day after CM Mohan Charan Majhi met governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, added further fuel to the expansion buzz. Sources said Samal is expected to engage in high-level discussions with the central leadership, including BJP president J P Nadda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah. The agenda is likely to be the formation of new teams — both within the council of ministers and the party organisation — as Samal prepares to appoint new party office-bearers following his recent reappointment as state BJP chief. Speculation is rife that chief minister Majhi, in consultation with Samal, may introduce new faces in his ministerial team while dropping some current ministers. This reshuffle is aimed at rejuvenating the team and strengthen the party's grassroots connections ahead of the panchayat elections in early 2027. Monday's meeting between the CM and the governor, coupled with the Kambhampati's social media post about "ways to strengthen governance", is being interpreted as a strong indication of a potential cabinet expansion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo This development is seen as a strategic move to address recent challenges faced by the Majhi govt, including issues related to women's safety and public trust. Majhi announced stringent measures against perpetrators and introduced the Shaktishree scheme to enhance women's safety on campuses. A cabinet reshuffle could provide the govt with a renewed mandate to address these pressing issues and regain public confidence.
News18
9 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Eleven blocks of Odisha included under NITI Aayog's Aspirational programme
Last Updated: Bhubaneswar, Jul 22 (PTI) Eleven blocks of Odisha have been included in the Aspirational Block Programme of the NITI Aayog, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on Tuesday. The programme focuses on improving governance to enhance the quality of life of citizens and service delivery in the remotest and less developed blocks of India. This is done through converging existing schemes, defining outcomes, and monitoring them constantly to bridge gaps. Five blocks of Keonjhar district and six of Mayurbhanj district have been added to the programme. With this, a total of 40 blocks of Odisha have now become Aspirational Blocks. As per the statement, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had requested the NITI Aayog to include these blocks under its programme. Accepting Majhi's request, the NITI Aayog has included these blocks in the Aspirational Programme. The new blocks that have been included in the programme are – Champua, Jhumpura, Keonjhar Sadar, Patna and Telkoi of Keonjhar district and Behalda, Bijataala, Jamada, Kusumi, Rairangpur and Tiringi of Mayurbhanj district, it said. A notification in this regard was issued by the NITI Aayog on Tuesday. The broad contours of the programme are convergence of central & state schemes, collaboration of central, state-level nodal officers & district collectors, and competition among blocks through monthly delta ranking. Due to this programme, development is being accelerated in these areas. PTI BBM NN view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 21:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CM meets guv, discusses ways to strengthen governance
1 2 Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi met governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan on Monday followed by the governor visiting law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan's residence, sparking speculation of an imminent cabinet reshuffle. While the governor's office stated that discussions centred on strengthening governance and public welfare during his meeting with Majhi, the chief minister's office (CMO) termed it a courtesy call. The timing of the meeting, however, has led to intense political speculation. Taking to X about his meeting with the CM, governor Kambhampati wrote, "We had a cordial discussion on Odisha's development roadmap and ways to strengthen governance and public welfare." The CMO similarly confirmed the meeting on social media. Political observers suggested the meeting could be significant in the backdrop of recent controversies, particularly the sexual harassment complaints emerging from various educational institutions across the state. Since the governor serves as the chancellor of state universities, these issues may have featured in their discussions. Sources close to the govt indicated that CM Majhi might be considering a cabinet reorganisation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Japanese hair growth method Hair's Rich Learn More Undo The current council of ministers, comprising 16 members, can be expanded to 22 as per constitutional provisions. State BJP president Manmohan Samal had recently hinted at such a possibility. "The chief minister may drop a couple of ministers and introduce new faces to give his govt a fresh look as he enters his second year in office," a senior party leader said on condition of anonymity. On possible cabinet expansion, law minister Harichandan said, "That's a prerogative of the chief minister. As our party state president has already said, discussions are on for filling up the vacancies besides appointment of various boards and corporations." Regarding the governor's visit, the law minister said Kambhampati came as a well-wisher of the family and as a friend. "He gave his feedback regarding the functioning of some departments. He also gave his advice on how the govt should function as per PM Narendra Modi's vision," the minister said, adding the discussions were more personal.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
‘Shaktishree' launched for safety of girl students
Bhubaneswar: Daysafter the self-immolation death of a college student in Balasore over alleged sexual harassment, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched 'Shaktishree', a State-wide initiative to ensure safety, security and empowerment of women in universities and colleges. The Chief Minister described 'Shaktishree' as a 'transformative empowerment and self-defence initiative' that will cover 16 State universities and 730 government and aided colleges. 'This initiative will ensure the safety of girl students and create safer and more inclusive campuses in our higher education institutions,' Majhi said. The Chief Minister said as part of the initiative, every institution will have a 'Shaktishree Empowerment Cell' -- a student-led body coordinated by a woman faculty member and a female student. This cell will focus on promoting safety, self-defence and emotional well-being among students and staff. To provide further support, each district will nominate five senior women professionals, called 'Shakti Apas', who will mentor students and visit campuses every three months. A dedicated mobile app will also be launched that will offer a secure platform for women students and staff to register complaints anonymously — via text, audio, or video — seek counselling and access mental health services through Tele-MANAS, a national mental health initiative. All teaching and non-teaching staff will be required to undergo annual online training related to the POSH Act, 2013, and UGC Regulations, 2015. A mandatory code of conduct will be enforced to ensure professional behaviour and gender sensitisation. In addition, a biannual campaign called SAFE (Shaktishree Actions for Female Empowerment) will be conducted to raise awareness on gender issues, bullying and harassment. Each institution must also submit an annual campus safety report by December 31 every year. To enhance security, campuses will be brought under 24x7 CCTV surveillance. An annual event called 'Shakti Swarupini' will also be held for student and faculty coordinators to receive training, share feedback and strengthen the programme.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Odisha CM: Shaktishree Programme to roll out soon in over 700 colleges, varsities
Bhubaneswar: Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said the Shaktishree Programme—a comprehensive initiative aimed at ensuring safety, empowerment, and gender sensitivity across higher educational institutions—will be rolled out in 16 universities and 730 government and aided colleges across the state. Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that all higher educational institutions will be required to submit an Annual Campus Safety Report by December 31. (CMO Odisha-X) This comes in the wake of the death of a 20-year-old college girl in Odisha's Balasore district following a self-immolation attempt over her sexual harassment by a professor. 'The Shaktishree Programme is a decisive step toward making our campuses safer, inclusive, and empowering for our daughters. It is not just a scheme—it is a movement for gender equality and respect,' Majhi said. Every college and university will form a Shaktishree Empowerment Cell, a student-led body, which will be managed by a female student, the 'Shaktishree Saathi', and mentored by a female faculty member, the 'Shaktishree Coordinator'. Additionally, five accomplished working women, nominated by the district collector, will serve as 'Shakti Apas'. They will visit campuses quarterly to guide and mentor students. Also Read: A wake-up call from Odisha An annual workshop titled 'Shakti Swarupini' will be held for all Shaktishree Saathis, Coordinators, and Apas. The cell will organise a six-day training program covering self-defence, legal rights, mental health, and digital safety awareness. A dedicated Shaktishree App is in the pipeline too, Majhi said. The app will allow female students to anonymously report harassment, consult mental health professionals, access Tele-MANAS services, and use an SOS emergency button to seek immediate help. The app will also provide details of internal committees and offer escalation mechanisms if complaints are not adequately addressed. Majhi added that a special Code of Conduct for faculty and non-teaching staff will be implemented, along with mandatory annual online training on gender sensitivity and women's safety. Under the SAFE (Shaktishree Actions for Female Empowerment) Campaign, camps and workshops on self-defense will be held. Also Read: Girl, 15, set on fire by 3 men in Odisha's Puri days after Balasore student's self-immolation An online course on The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) and University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines will be introduced for students and staff. Also, CCTV cameras will be installed at key locations based on internal recommendations, and a control room will monitor the live feeds, Majhi said. All higher educational institutions will be required to submit an Annual Campus Safety Report by December 31.
