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Time of India
25-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ratna Bhandar restoration to be over by July 8: Minister
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Govt has set a deadline to finish restoration work of Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar (treasury) by Neeladri Bije, to be celebrated on July 8, marking the end of this year's Rath Yatra. The repair work, which commenced on Dec 17, 2024, has been on hold at present due to Chandan Yatra. Sources said work is set to resume on June 28, a day after Rath Yatra when the deities will be at Gundicha temple. The sibling deities will return to the sanctum sanctorum on July 8. "Restoration work is on hold since April 29 to facilitate the smooth conduct of Chandan Yatra. The ASI will resume and expedite the work after the deities' departure from the Jagannath Temple's garbha gruha (sanctum sanctorum) on Rath Yatra on June 27. We expect that the work will be over by Neeladri Bije," law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Sunday. ASI officials intend to work 7-8 hours daily while the deities are away. "Previously, we were restricted to a maximum of two hours of repair work every day to accommodate the deities' daily rituals," an ASI functionary said. Between Dec 17, 2024 and April 28, 2025, the ASI completed about 200 hours of repair work on the Ratna Bhandar, which was reopened by the govt on July 14, 2024, after 46 years, for urgent restoration. The minister indicated that the restoration is progressing systematically to ensure the structure remains stable for the next hundred years. ASI reports indicate work on the inner chamber is nearly over, with floor renovation pending. The damaged flooring will be replaced with Khondalite stone. Five damaged inner chamber beams have been substituted with stainless steel alternatives. Work on the outer chamber is nearing completion, including replacement of damaged stone and exterior repairs.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Plan to install anti-drone tech in Puri temple
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: Days after arrested travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra and her YouTuber friend in Puri are said to have used a drone to capture aerial videos of Jagannath Temple, the govt on Friday said it is planning to implement anti-drone technology in the area. "The govt has discussed with police the plan to install anti-drone system at the temple. If required, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration may bear the installation expenses," law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said. Chhatisa Nijog, representing various temple servitor groups, voiced their concerns on Wednesday regarding the arrested YouTuber's drone usage near the shrine and requested the govt to revisit the shrine's security protocols. The proposed system will identify, monitor and disable unauthorised drones flying above the temple grounds, whose airspace is designated as a no-fly zone. The minister said that this security measure would protect against potential threats, unauthorised aerial photography and privacy violations in the area. Recently, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams trust announced it would deploy anti-drone technology to boost the Tirupati temple's security. "Anti-drone technology will protect the shrine from aerial security risks. Such protection has become necessary due to the widespread availability and misuse of drones," said Shyama Mahapatra, a servitor. A senior police officer said, "State police headquarters is exploring the feasibility of deploying anti-drone system at the temple." Sources said Singhadwar police station in Puri has registered at least 15 cases of unauthorised drone use above the Jagannath Temple for capturing photos and videos in the past three years. Police had seized several drones, which were later returned after removing the recorded content. The recent Pahalgam terror attack and Jyoti's visit to Puri have led the govt to enhance security at the 12th century shrine, which receives over 40,000 daily visitors and over 1 lakh devotees during festivals. A sophisticated bulletproof armoured vehicle, equipped with roof-mounted light machine guns has been stationed outside the shrine to combat potential terror threat. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Govt to launch awareness drive against illegal drug use, trafficking
1 2 Bhubaneswar: State govt on Friday announced plans to organise an awareness programme to combat illegal drug use and trafficking from May 31 to June 26. The modalities for the programme were finalised during a review meeting held at Kharavela Bhawan here. Excise minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, who chaired the meeting, reported a significant decline in illegal drug trafficking since the new govt took office. "The success is attributed to coordinated efforts between the excise department, police administration and special squads," he said. "While we have made progress, we must intensify our efforts to completely eliminate drug trafficking from our state," said Harichandan, outlining a comprehensive awareness strategy that will extend from schools to village panchayats. Chief secretary Manoj Ahuja proposed engaging self-help groups in rural areas and organising school-level essay competitions to broaden the campaign's reach. The initiative will promote the 'Say Yes to Life, No to Drugs' message through community members. Excise commissioner-cum-secretary Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar presented the orientation and detailed plan for the upcoming awareness programme, emphasising interdepartmental coordination for the success of the initiative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Successful Way of Intraday Trading is "Market Profile" TradeWise Learn More Undo Departments have been directed to prepare daily activity schedules to ensure consistent implementation of the campaign. "This reflects our commitment to create a drug-free state through both enforcement and community engagement," the minister said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Several States Begin Crackdown On Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants
Several states have begun the process of identifying Bangladeshis staying illegally in various parts, as a part of an exercise to deport the immigrants. In Odisha, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday said the state government has issued a direction to all district collectors, coastal security agencies and formed a Special Task Force (STF) to coordinate the process of identifying the undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants. "The government has taken a tough stand. No foreign national without valid legal status will be allowed to stay in Odisha. The identification process has already begun and will be carried out meticulously in all districts," Mr Harichandan said. He said preliminary discussions with various government branches and agencies such as those employing migrant labourers have been asked to verify their identities and nationalities. "Different engineering departments of the state government have been asked not to engage any Bangladesh or foreign nationals without valid documents," he said. The state government has designated the STF as the nodal agency to coordinate and monitor the developments, besides working closely with district-level officers, coastal security forces and other enforcement units. The districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Ganjam have been identified as possible areas housing illegal migrants. STF Director General Pinak Mishra said that after the identification process is complete, the government will initiate legal proceedings under The Foreigners Act and other relevant laws to deport the illegal migrants. "Since Odisha shares its border with West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh, we are keeping a strict vigil as there is every possibility of infiltration, be it through waterways or roadways," he said. The Maharashtra government is also conducting a similar exercise with the Mumbai Police saying that 300 illegal Bangladeshis have been deported so far in recent times. Police said 766 such illegal immigrants have been arrested so far this year. Eighteen lakh ration cards were cancelled till May 18, officials said, adding that most of the holders were likely illegal Bangladeshi residents. In Mumbai, 4.8 lakh ration cards were cancelled. "Our government will not do injustice to any such government will not do injustice to anyone except Bangladeshi infiltrators. Action will be taken against those who are eligible for action, the general public will not be harassed," Cabinet Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said. Saiddul Sheikh, who says he is from West Bengal, agrees that the police should crack down on illegal entry of Bangladeshis and those who make fake documents but not target labourers like him who have come from the eastern state to make a living. He said he has also made several rounds of the police station for verification. India has adopted a new "push back" strategy to tackle infiltration from Bangladesh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters earlier this month. He said the Centre has deported illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas, from different parts of the country, including from the Matia detention centre in Goalpara - one of the largest facilities in the country housing illegal immigrants. Calling cross-border infiltration a "big issue", Mr Sarma said it will be minimised because of the new "push back" phenomenon. "Earlier, we used to arrest 1,000-1,500 foreigners. We used to arrest them, and they would be sent to jails, and then they would be produced before a court of law. Now, we have decided that we will not bring them into our country, and will push them back," he said. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had on April 30 directed police to launch a campaign against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and to ensure their deportation. Subsequently, a first batch of 148 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants rounded up by police was sent to West Bengal on a special flight, as part of the deportation process, police sources said. "These infiltrators were kept at one of the two detention centres set up in Jaipur. In the first phase of their deportation, 148 have been sent to Jodhpur and dispatched for West Bengal for final deportation," one of them said. The source added that 1,008 "infiltrators" have been detained in the exercise so far in 17 districts of the state.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jagannath Temple in Odisha's Puri without governing body for 8 months
The Jagannath Temple in Puri has been without its managing committee for eight months, impacting key decisions on the 2025-26 budget BHUBANESWAR: The Jagannath Temple in Puri has been functioning without its governing body for the last eight months, impacting the shrine's administration. The principal decision-making body, an 18-member managing committee (MC) tasked with policy decisions, completed its three-year term on Sept 3, 2024. After implementing the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1954, the Odisha govt assigned the temple's daily administration to the statutory MC to ensure proper preservation and enhanced management of the temple. According to the Act, the MC must approve all decisions, from rituals to financial matters, before implementation by the govt in this 12th century shrine. Despite a senior IAS officer (chief administrator) and other govt officials overseeing the temple's daily administrative operations, the MC's absence has led to several pending crucial decisions regarding the shrine. About 10 key proposals remain unresolved, with significant ones, including the 2025-26 budget, new darshan system, and repositioning of the temple Hundi. "The temple currently operates on an interim budget, as the 2025-26 budget awaits approval due to the committee's absence," a senior temple official said. The proposed queue darshan system's implementation faces delays pending MC approval. The new system includes a six-lane ramp within wooden collapsible barricades at Natamandap, opposite the sanctum sanctorum, designed to facilitate organised darshan. It provides separate paths for men, women, and senior citizens, with plans to include differently-abled devotees. "With the Rath Yatra approaching on June 27, the MC's absence could create additional challenges. Traditionally, the MC finalises the rituals, arrangements, and guidelines for Rath Yatra annually," the official said. The shrine authorities said that while the chief administrator is currently exercising his extraordinary power under the Temple Act and handling daily management decisions, these must require subsequent post facto approval once the MC is established. "If the MC formation doesn't take place before Rath Yatra, the chief administrator will have to make decisions and obtain post facto approval later. However, he cannot take decisions involving major proposals and controversial matters," he said. Collector (Puri) and temple's deputy chief administrator Siddharth Shankar Swain said, "Due official process already started for formation of the managing committee. It is the govt's discretion to finalise the members of the committee." Recently, law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan told journalists: "The govt is aware of the matter and will soon constitute the temple managing committee."
