Latest news with #OdishaGovernment
United News of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Blatant callousness of Odisha Government led to Saradhabali stampede: Naveen
Bhubaneswar, June 29 (UNI) BJD President and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today blamed the Odisha Government's blatant callousness for the tragic stampede at Saradhabali, which claimed the lives of three devotees. Patnaik urged the state government to immediately implement corrective measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming key Rath Yatra rituals—Adapa Bije, Bahuda Yatra, and Suna Besha. In a post on social media platform X, Patnaik expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed to Lord Jagannath for the speedy recovery of those injured in the devastating incident. The Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly remarked that today's stampede—occurring just a day after the government's failure to manage crowds during the Rath Yatra, which left hundreds injured—has exposed the administration's glaring incompetence in ensuring a safe and peaceful festival experience for devotees. Citing eyewitness accounts, Patnaik said that the initial response to the tragedy came from the relatives of the victims, as no government personnel were present to control the surging crowd—highlighting a serious lapse in duty. He further criticized the administration for attributing the inordinate delay in pulling the Nandighosh chariot on Rath Yatra day to the "will of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath)," calling it a shocking excuse to mask the complete abdication of administrative responsibility. UNI DP BM
United News of India
a day ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Odisha CM, Law Minister must resign for Rath Yatra chaos, mismanagement, demands BJD
Bhubaneswar, June 28 (UNI) Coming down heavily on the BJP-led Odisha Government for the "chaos and glaring mismanagement" during the observance of Rath Yatra at Puri, the Opposition BJD today said Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan should own moral responsibility for the lapses and resign. The BJD also demanded the government must immediately disclose the official number of deceased and injured persons in the stampede that occurred. Stating that this year's Rath Yatra witnessed unprecedented disorder and mismanagement, BJD Vice President Pratap Jena said the spiritual emotions of millions of devotees who travelled from across the country and abroad to witness the divine Trinity have been deeply hurt. The government's assurance of a flawless Rath Yatra turned out to be "nothing more than an empty promise", he said. Pointing out the chaos in observance of the festival of the revered deities, he said Lord Jagannath's Nandighosha chariot did not move an inch until late evening, in "a serious breach of tradition". The chariots of Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra too failed to cross the Balagandi Chhak. Despite there being no provision to pull chariots after sunset, the chariot of Lord Jagannath was dragged forward by a few feet at 7:45 PM, only to symbolically fulfill ritual protocol — a move that hurt the religious sentiments of devotees, the senior BJD leader Jena said. Ironically both the Chief Administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan shied away from the responsibility by casually saying, 'it happened according to the Lord's will.' BJD strongly condemned "such irresponsible statements" and reminded the state government that it is their duty to conduct the Rath Yatra with discipline and dignity. Despite holding valid passes, journalists were denied entry into the cordon zone and were manhandled by police personnel assigned to cordon duty. Nearly seven–eight senior journalists were injured during this incident, he rued. He also stated that even with a large police presence, devotees were left unsafe during the chariot pulling, and the traffic system completely collapsed. With over 1,000 injuries reported, at least eight individuals were admitted to ICU, and reports of two or more deaths have surfaced, he said. He demanded the state government must immediately disclose the official number of deceased and injured persons. BJD further blamed the government's reckless distribution of record-high cordon passes for the chaos. Approximately 10,000 cordon passes were issued this year, many of which were distributed through party workers. Shockingly, two ministers alone issued 6,000 passes, leading to uncontrolled crowds breaching the cordon, significantly delaying the chariot pulling. Before the Yatra began, during the Anasara period, there were reports that a few Modak which were offered to the Lord were stolen. Notably, during last year's Rath Yatra, Lord Balabhadra's idol had fallen during the Pahandi ceremony, an incident that emotionally affected devotees worldwide. Till date, no report has been made public to that effect even after a year. UNI XC RN
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
NHRC issues notice to Odisha government over social boycott of tribal woman
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) issued a notice to the Odisha Government regarding the reported social boycott of a woman from a Scheduled Tribe community after her marriage to a man belonging to a Scheduled Caste. The incident, which took place in Rayagada district, allegedly involved pressure from local villagers demanding that the woman's family undergo a 'purification' ritual in order to be accepted back into the community. Reports suggest that the family was threatened with an indefinite boycott if they refused to comply. According to the complaint, the woman's family ultimately acquiesced to the villagers' demand. As part of the ritual, the heads of 40 family members were reportedly tonsured. 'The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of the human rights of the victims. Therefore, it has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks,' the NHRC said in an official communication.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Odisha Governor Kambhampati urges citizens to embrace renewable energy
In a strong push for environmental protection and sustainable living , Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati has urged citizens to embrace green energy to reduce pollution, safeguard the planet and save much-needed foreign exchange by reducing the import of crude oil, a release said on Sunday. Addressing a press conference at Raj Bhavan, the Governor emphasised the importance of transitioning from traditional energy sources to renewable alternatives. Since taking charge, Governor Kambhampati has initiated a transformative shift in the energy infrastructure of Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar. A 150-kilowatt solar power plant is already operational within the premises, with an additional 400 kilowatts set to be installed soon. This marks a significant step towards making the Governor's residence a net-zero energy campus. Furthering the green mission, a fleet of Made-in-India electric vehicles has been introduced, ranging from official cars to two-wheelers, signalling a decisive move towards sustainable mobility. "Every ride now contributes to a quieter, cleaner, and more responsible tomorrow. It's more than a choice--it's the path we've chosen to follow," Dr. Kambhampati said, underlining the urgency of adopting eco-friendly practices. With this pioneering effort, Raj Bhavan is not only setting an example for government institutions across the country but also sending a clear message that sustainability begins at the top. During the interaction with the media, the Governor highlighted several major schemes introduced by the Government of India to promote renewable energy , such as PM-KUSUM Yojana , PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Kambhampati appreciated the Odisha Government for providing an additional subsidy under the PM Surya Ghar scheme , stating that it will encourage more people to adopt solar energy. He urged citizens across the state to take full advantage of such initiatives and actively transition to renewable sources of energy--not just for personal benefit, but for the greater good of the environment. He also appealed to people to gradually shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles and adopt electric vehicles, highlighting that this transition is a crucial step toward reducing pollution, cutting dependence on fossil fuels, and supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future. Furthermore, he emphasised that charging electric vehicles with rooftop solar panels enables truly green mobility by eliminating the need for fossil fuels. "It also makes everyday travel significantly more affordable," he noted. He also stated, "Now is the time to take action. These efforts aim to empower people and build a better, lasting future for the next generations." Dr. Kambhampati also called upon the media to play a proactive role in spreading awareness about renewable energy. "The objective of today's interaction is to inspire citizens through awareness. The media serves as a crucial bridge in taking this vital message to every household," he said. Significantly, this is not the first time Dr. Kambhampati has championed renewable energy. As a Member of Parliament in 2014, he had strongly advocated for sustainable energy solutions during his maiden address in Parliament. While supporting the Union Budget presented by the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Dr. Kambhampati had underscored the need to tackle India's trade deficit by reducing dependence on imported crude oil and promoting the use of ethanol-blended fuel and electric vehicles. He had urged the government to offer tax incentives for electric vehicles and improve the domestic power situation through renewable energy like solar generators to reduce reliance on diesel generators, which would in turn help lower the current account deficit and conserve foreign exchange. His visionary remarks in Parliament a decade ago reflected a deep understanding of the interlinkages between energy policy, economic stability, and environmental responsibility--principles he continues to uphold as the Governor of Odisha. Through both words and action, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati continues to lead by example, inspiring a shift toward a cleaner, greener, and more energy-secure future. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who was present at the event, lauded the green initiatives undertaken by Raj Bhavan and highlighted the various steps taken by the state government to promote renewable energy. He emphasised the importance of public participation in making Odisha a leader in sustainable development.
