Bhubaneswar

In Odisha’s Bhubaneswar, two persons have been arrested for allegedly trying to sell a chameleon, on August 29. Reportedly, the accused were trying to sell the animal for Rs 1.50 lakh, before getting nabbed by forest officers, who were posing as buyers. The accused have been identified as Rashmi Ranjan Das and Khiroad Mohanty. According to Schedule 2 of the Wild Life Protection Act, smuggling of chameleon is illegal. 

The flood condition in Odisha continues to stay grim. About 4.67 lakh people have been affected across 10 districts and 1,757 villages. As of August 18, over 60,000 persons have been evacuated to safe places. Meanwhile, flood water is being released via Hirakud reservoir through 40 gates. Furthermore, school buildings have been ordered to use the buildings for shelter and relief distribution.

A budgetary provision has been made by the Odisha government for the development of a mega Aluminium park in Angul. CM Naveen Patnaik chaired a cabinet meeting with the ministers and took the decision. Around Rs 428.95 crore has been approved for the said project and it is expected to be  completed by 2024. Reportedly, the cabinet also approved proposals for creation of land bank for industry and infrastructure.

The Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in Odisha, which were closed in April, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen on March 28. As per a letter sent by Director of ICDS and SW Arvind Agarwal, the centres will operate from 7:30 am to 9:30 am for 25 days a month, strictly adhering to the COVID-19 protocols. Furthermore, children unable to attend the centres will receive ration at their doorsteps.

Considering the current COVID-19 situation and Omicron threat, the Bhubaneswar Airport decided to impose strict surveillance checking. All the passengers deboarding flights at Bhubaneswar airport, need to undergo RT-PCR test, mandatory. Ones who are fully vaccinated or ones who have RT-PCR negative report will also need to take the COVID-19 test on arrival at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), starting from January 7.