Swagatika appointed BCJD VP

Bhubaneswar: Former Utkal Law University Students’ Union president Swagatika Mohanty was appointed as a senior vice-president of the Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) on the approval of party supremor Naveen Patrnaik on Tuesday. Mohanty had started her career as a student politician and contested as a BCJD candidate for the Utkal Law University Students’ Union president post. She became popular with the students for her organisational skills. She has thanked Naveen Patnaik for reposing faith on her in appointing her as a BCJD senior vice-president. She has also thanked BJD organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das, Dharamsala MLA Pranab Balbantray and Chandbali MLA Byomakesh Ray.

MP Sasmit Patra tests Covid positive

 Bhubaneswar: Rajya Sabha BJD member Dr Sasmit Patra has tested positive for Covid-19, he informed on Tuesday. He is in home isolation as per Covid guidelines. He urged those who came in contact with him during the last few days to undergo home isolation and self-monitoring. Earlier, three Lok Sabha members of the State, Suresh Pujari of BJP (Bargarh), Manjulata Mandal of BJD (Bhadrak) and Ramesh Majhi of BJD (Nabarangpur), had contracted the virus.

OHRC office shut for two days

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) office at Toshali Bhawan here has been closed for two days till Wednesday (September 30) after an employee tested positive for Covid-19. All officers and staffs of the OHRC have been asked to remain in home isolation and undertake Covid tests if they find any Covid symptoms. The OHRC office said extremely urgent matter, if any received through email, may be taken up during the two days.

BDO Revenue Assistant held taking bribe in R’gada

Rayagada: The Vigilance police on Tuesday arrested the Revenue Assistant at the office of Kashipur Block Development Officer (BDO) in Rayagada district for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000. On a complaint lodged by one Bilasa Naik of Dangasil village, Vigilance officials conducted a raid and caught accused Prakash Chandra Sahu red-handed. Sahu had demanded the bribe to issue work order in favour of the complainant for construction of a passenger rest shed at Dangasil village under MLALAD fund.

Sonia, Rahul condole Matlub Ali’s death

Bhubaneswar: Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former president Rahul Gandhi have condoled the death of former Minister Sk Matlub Ali. In separate letters to Ali’s wife Anjumara Begum, both praised the dedicated work of Ali in his constituency Mahanga and for the Congress. Extending their heartfelt condolences to the family and supporters, they said the Congress has lost a great leader of Odisha, who was an eloquent speaker and a good writer. They sent the letter to the departed leader’s wife on the basis of information sent by former MP and senior Congress leader Dr RC Khuntia.

Sharma transferred to MCL Hq as GM

Jharsuguda: The Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) Ib valley Area General Manager Madhusudan Sharma has been transferred to the MCL headquarters as GM (P& P). In 2010, Sharma had joined as Project Officer of Samleswari Opencast Mines in Ib Valley Area.

Better facilities at B’ngir Covid Hosp demanded

Balangir: Members of Covid-19 Control Committee led by Tripurati Panigrahi on Tuesday staged a demonstration before the district Collectorate here demanding better healthcare facilities at the Balangir Covid Hospital. They submitted an eight-point charter of demands to district Collector Chanchal Rana in this regard.

Dy Collector held for torturing wife

JHARSUGUDA: The Jharsuguda Town police on Tuesday arrested Boudh Deputy Collector Sarat Bag for allegedly torturing his wife.

The official’s wife had lodged a police complaint accusing him of having an extramarital affair with his former girlfriend and torturing her physically.According to reports, the official had gone to Jharsuguda a few days ago, during which his wife Dolia Debnath followed him. When both reached Jharsuguda, a dispute erupted between them.The matter took an ugly turn as Bag and an associate of his allegedly thrashed Dolia.While the matter is currently sub-judice, Bag said it was a conspiracy and the truth would come to fore after investigation.