News for 'Centre and Odisha'

LS to debate efforts to wipe out Maoist threat on Monday

LS to debate efforts to wipe out Maoist threat on Monday

Rediff.com29 Mar 2026

The Lok Sabha will hold a discussion on efforts to eliminate left-wing extremism (LWE) in India, ahead of the government's deadline. The debate will cover the government's strategy, review of affected regions, and future plans, including potential withdrawal of security forces and launch of welfare schemes.

Maoist Surrenders Signal Insurgency's Endgame

Maoist Surrenders Signal Insurgency's Endgame

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

As the March 31 deadline arrives, a wave of Maoist surrenders suggests insurgency's end, but political and social concerns remain.

Tamil Nadu's Baranica Elangovan Breaks Pole Vault National Record

Tamil Nadu's Baranica Elangovan Breaks Pole Vault National Record

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

Tamil Nadu athlete Baranica Elangovan set a new national record in the women's pole vault at the National Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar, clearing 4.22m.

'This Is BJP's Insurance For Post-Modi Era'

'This Is BJP's Insurance For Post-Modi Era'

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

'All this talk about women's reservation and Nari Shakti is a mirage.' 'It is a classic Trojan horse to bring about an alteration in the structure of political competition -- to the enduring advantage of the BJP.'

Gurindervir Singh Breaks 60m Record Amidst Drama at National Indoor Athletics Championships

Gurindervir Singh Breaks 60m Record Amidst Drama at National Indoor Athletics Championships

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

Gurindervir Singh set a national record in the 60m sprint at the National Indoor Athletics Championships after Animesh Kujur's disqualification.

15 Naxalites Surrender in Chhattisgarh, Crippling Maoist Operations

15 Naxalites Surrender in Chhattisgarh, Crippling Maoist Operations

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Fifteen Naxalites, including a veteran ultra with a significant bounty, surrendered in Chhattisgarh, effectively dismantling the Maoist movement in the Raipur-Sambalpur region.

10K surrender in 10 yrs: Are Maoists in their last mile?

10K surrender in 10 yrs: Are Maoists in their last mile?

Rediff.com29 Mar 2026

A combination of security pressure and rehabilitation efforts has significantly weakened Naxalism in India, leading to numerous surrenders and the elimination of key leaders.

TMC Leader Banerjee Predicts Steep Rise in LPG and Fuel Prices After Elections

TMC Leader Banerjee Predicts Steep Rise in LPG and Fuel Prices After Elections

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has warned of a significant increase in cooking gas and fuel prices by the BJP-led central government following the West Bengal assembly elections. He accused the BJP of neglecting the fuel crisis and challenged them to pledge no price hikes for the next five years.

15 Naxalites, Including Key Leader, Surrender in Chhattisgarh

15 Naxalites, Including Key Leader, Surrender in Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Fifteen Naxalites, including a Special Zonal Committee-level member, surrendered to security forces in Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district, marking a significant development in the state's efforts to combat Naxalism.

Bhubaneswar to Host World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028

Bhubaneswar to Host World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

India will host the World Indoor Athletics Championships for the first time in 2028 in Bhubaneswar. The decision was made at the World Athletics Council meeting in Torun, Poland.

Chhattisgarh Declares Bastar Region Free of Maoist Extremism After Decades of Conflict

Chhattisgarh Declares Bastar Region Free of Maoist Extremism After Decades of Conflict

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

After more than four decades, Chhattisgarh's Bastar region has been declared free of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), marking the end of the armed Maoist rebellion in the area. The decline is attributed to sustained security operations, improved governance, and socio-economic development initiatives.

Iran war impact: LPG shortage threatens hotels, restaurants closures across India

Iran war impact: LPG shortage threatens hotels, restaurants closures across India

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

Indian restaurants are grappling with a severe LPG shortage due to the West Asia conflict, forcing them to innovate with menus and cooking methods or face potential closures, impacting the food industry and consumers across the country.

Abhishek Banerjee Warns of Potential Fuel Price Surge After West Bengal Polls

Abhishek Banerjee Warns of Potential Fuel Price Surge After West Bengal Polls

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee alleges the BJP-led government may increase fuel prices after the West Bengal assembly elections, accusing them of neglecting the common man and withholding funds from the state.

Rain lashes AP, Odisha as 'Montha' turns into severe cyclonic storm

Rain lashes AP, Odisha as 'Montha' turns into severe cyclonic storm

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Meanwhile, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) issued high sea waves, up to 4.7 metres high, warning across several coastal districts.

Nobody will hire women: SC rejects plea for menstrual leave

Nobody will hire women: SC rejects plea for menstrual leave

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a nationwide policy for menstrual leave for women students and workers, citing concerns about potential negative impacts on female employment and the reinforcement of gender stereotypes.

Key Maoist Leader Surrenders, Marking Progress in Chhattisgarh's Anti-Insurgency Efforts

Key Maoist Leader Surrenders, Marking Progress in Chhattisgarh's Anti-Insurgency Efforts

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

A senior Maoist commander, Papa Rao, surrendered with his team in Chhattisgarh, signalling a significant blow to Left-Wing Extremism in the region. This event underscores the impact of sustained security pressure and rehabilitation efforts on the Maoist movement.

'Going By The BJP's Style, A Surprise Can't Be Ruled Out'

'Going By The BJP's Style, A Surprise Can't Be Ruled Out'

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

'The BJP is keeping its options open and that the final decision is still tightly held.' 'That is consistent with the party's tendency to preserve suspense, avoid premature factional conflict, and use leadership selection as a way of resetting internal hierarchies.'

Orissa High Court: Indiscriminate Bank Account Freezes Hurt Businesses

Orissa High Court: Indiscriminate Bank Account Freezes Hurt Businesses

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

'Statutory power must be exercised in a manner that is fair, proportionate, and not excessive.' 'The authority must demonstrate a rational nexus between the property frozen and the alleged offence.'

108 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh; huge cache of arms, cash recovered

108 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh; huge cache of arms, cash recovered

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

108 Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district, yielding a large cache of weapons and cash. The surrender highlights the government's success in combating Left Wing Extremism and the weakening of Maoist ideology.

Mass Surrender: 108 Maoists Give Up Arms in Chhattisgarh

Mass Surrender: 108 Maoists Give Up Arms in Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

In a significant victory for the government's anti-Naxal efforts, 108 Maoists, including 44 women, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district, citing disillusionment and the appeal of rehabilitation programs. The surrender also led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons and valuables.

Centre races to rescue failing power discoms

Centre races to rescue failing power discoms

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

After four failed reform drives, a new plan aims to rescue India's debt-laden power discoms through privatisation, accountability and long-term financial fixes.

Eid celebrated in India with prayers, protests

Eid celebrated in India with prayers, protests

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

Eid al-Fitr was celebrated across India with prayers for peace and brotherhood, alongside protests condemning US-Israel actions in West Asia.

Cyclon 'Montha' intensifies; AP, Odisha brace for landfall

Cyclon 'Montha' intensifies; AP, Odisha brace for landfall

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

"Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 17 kmph during the past six hours and lay centred at 2.30 am on October 28 over the same region about 230 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (and) 310 km south-southeast of Kakinada," said the Met Department in a release.

National churches body moves SC against anti-conversion law in 12 states

National churches body moves SC against anti-conversion law in 12 states

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and 12 states on a PIL challenging the validity of their anti-conversion laws. The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) filed the PIL, seeking a stay on the operation of these laws.

13 Must-Visit Indian Literary Festivals

13 Must-Visit Indian Literary Festivals

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

Lit fests in India have become vibrant cultural celebrations across India, bringing together celebrated authors, emerging voices, poets, thinkers and passionate readers, many of them very young, under one lively roof.

States Chalk Out Plans For Census 2027

States Chalk Out Plans For Census 2027

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

Odisha and Uttar Pradesh are among the first to roll out the digital exercise.

BWF downgrades Syed Modi International; India Open retains Super 750 status

BWF downgrades Syed Modi International; India Open retains Super 750 status

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The India Open retained its Super 750 status despite the organisational issues this year but the Syed Modi International was downgraded from Super 300 to Super 100 as the country saw its share of events reduced from four to two in the Badminton World Federation's revamped schedule announced on Monday.

Cyclone Montha lashes Andhra, Odisha; 76K in relief camps, flights cancelled

Cyclone Montha lashes Andhra, Odisha; 76K in relief camps, flights cancelled

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Severe cyclonic storm 'Montha' has begun making landfall off the Andhra Pradesh coast, with the process expected to continue for the next three to four hours. The storm is expected to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam, near Kakinada, with wind speeds of 90-100 kmph.

Swami Vs Yogi: The Showdown In Uttar Pradesh

Swami Vs Yogi: The Showdown In Uttar Pradesh

Rediff.com24 Feb 2026

Tensions between Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have drawn national attention in recent months.

7 Goddess Saraswati Temples

7 Goddess Saraswati Temples

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

Basant Panchami is dedicated to Devi Saraswati, the goddess of learning and an auspicious occasion to visit shrines in her honour.

Santosh Trophy: Holders West Bengal thrash Nagaland

Santosh Trophy: Holders West Bengal thrash Nagaland

Rediff.com21 Jan 2026

Defending champions West Bengal beat Nagaland 4-0 in Santosh Trophy

DRDO tests 150-500 km range Pralay missiles, induction next

DRDO tests 150-500 km range Pralay missiles, induction next

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

India successfully test-fired two Pralay missiles in quick succession off the coast of Odisha, paving the way for its induction into the military. The missile is indigenously developed and features a state-of-the-art navigation system.

Budget 2026 stays committed to long-term growth drivers

Budget 2026 stays committed to long-term growth drivers

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Capex, infrastructure development, and prudent fiscal management are the key focus areas in the Budget, says Nilesh Shah.

India's diagnostic chains are in expansion mode. Here's why

India's diagnostic chains are in expansion mode. Here's why

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

India's diagnostics sector is accelerating capacity addition and geographic expansion, as large chains and regional players invest in new laboratories, integrated centres and dense sample collection networks to tap rising demand for preventive, advanced and precision testing.

Kashi-Style Makeover Planned for Bhoramdeo

Kashi-Style Makeover Planned for Bhoramdeo

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Nestled in the mountain ranges of Kabirdham district, Bhoramdeo has an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, about 125 km from Raipur.

Which Of These Gorgeous Animal Pix Do You Like?

Which Of These Gorgeous Animal Pix Do You Like?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2026

The Natural History Museum, London, has officially unveiled the 24-image shortlist for the 2026 Nuveen People's Choice Award. This prestigious contest, a key part of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and supported by lead sponsor Nuveen, invites the public to decide which image will be crowned the winner.

Odisha's Favourite Kakara Pitha Recipe

Odisha's Favourite Kakara Pitha Recipe

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

Odisha's special occasion dessert.

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Why Budget 2026 Deserves 8.5/10

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

This is the first Budget in my memory of Budgets over the last half a century which has embraced upfront, enthusiastically and emphatically, technology, modernity and fiscal sobriety, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

Odisha girl set afire by 3 dies after fortnight-long battle for life

Odisha girl set afire by 3 dies after fortnight-long battle for life

Rediff.com3 Aug 2025

A 15-year-old girl in Odisha, India, has died after allegedly being set on fire by unidentified assailants. The incident has sparked outrage and prompted investigations by local authorities.

Alerted Centre, MP govt about toxic cough syrup: TN minister

Alerted Centre, MP govt about toxic cough syrup: TN minister

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Tamil Nadu government alerted Madhya Pradesh and the Union Health Ministry about the presence of a toxic substance in Coldrif cough syrup, averting a major tragedy, according to state Health Minister Ma Subramanian.