The Odia labourers, Dhiren Nayak of Badakudar and Bisweswar Nayak of Jogibandh in Mayurbhanj, Raju Nayak of Kuldiha in Balasore and Bhagaban Bhotra of Nabarangpur, met the chief minister at the latter’s residence in Bhubaneswar after their arrival in the city earlier in the day.

During the meeting, the labourers narrated their ordeal inside the collapsed tunnel for 17 days to the chief minister. Appreciating the patience and survival instincts of the workers. “Your struggle will remain an inspiration for others who face difficulties in life. You are true heroes of the society,” said Naveen.

The families of the four labourers and Labour Minister Sarada Prasad Nayak were also present in the meeting.

Nayak, who accompanied the workers back home, thanked the Chief Minister and 5T Chairman VK Pandian for promptly sending the officials to the site and later their family members to Uttarakhand by facilitating their air travel, food and accommodation. The CM also ensured that workers and their families are flown back home safely, he added.

Total five Odia labourers were rescued from the tunnel. While four of them reached Bhubaneswar, another worker, Tapan Mandal of Bhadrak district, stayed back in Uttarakhand with one of his relatives following the rescue.

Besides extending condolences to the bereaved families, the CM also ordered free medical treatment to the 12 injured and wished them speedy recovery.

Eight persons died and 12 others sustained injuries when the van in which they were travelling crashed into a stationary truck on NH-20 near Balijodi, around 3 km from the Tarani Temple in Ghatagaon, in Odisha’s Keonjhar district early on Friday.

The victims and injured were from Digapahandi in Ganjam district and were on their way to the temple when the accident took place around 5 am. While seven people died on the spot, another succumbed at a hospital. Condition of two among the injured is stated to be critical.

Incidentally, the tragic mishap occurred on first day of the Zero Fatality Week, a campaign launched by the Odisha transport department to curb road accident deaths.

This was stated by 5(T) secretary VK Pandian during a meeting with the chairmen of the councils on the day. With the additional grant, the total fund for the SDCs has gone up to Rs 351.5 crore.

The additional fund is besides the normal annual grant of Rs 175.5 crore for the councils. The additional fund will be utilised for promotion and conservation of tribal language, art, tradition and culture.

It may be noted that the state government has formed SDCs in the districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Keonjhar, Kandhmal, Sundargarh and Nabarangpur.

The Chief Minister expressed his congratulations to Amit Rohidas, acknowledging his outstanding performance and calling him an inspiration for youngsters not only across Odisha but also throughout India.

“Amit Rohidas’ remarkable achievements exemplify the spirit of perseverance and excellence. He has become a symbol of hope and pride for aspiring athletes in our state and beyond. His success story resonates with every individual striving to achieve greatness, and we are immensely proud of his accomplishments,” he said.

Amit Rohidas, a true son of the soil from the hockey-rich region of Sundargarh in Odisha, had proudly earned himself an Olympic Bronze Medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, an official release said on Saturday.

Amit Rohidas, a product of Odisha’s rich sporting culture, honed his exceptional skills at the Panposh Sports Hostel in Rourkela. With an impressive track record of over 150 caps, Amit emerged as an integral cog in India’s campaign in Hangzhou, serving as the first rusher and displaying remarkable strategic acumen. His pivotal goal in the semi-final against Korea, propelled the Indian team towards the final and the coveted gold medal.

It was also decided that all District Headquarters Hospitals (DHHs), Sub-divisional Hospitals (SDHs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) would be renovated and transformed in different phases over coming four years.

In another significant move, the government has enhanced the bed strength of Jajpur DHH from 330 to 420. It may be mentioned that the DHH would be the teaching hospital for Jajati Keshari Medical College and Hopsital, Jajpur.

While issuing notices in this regard on the day, Shalini Pandit, secretary, Health and Family Welfare ordered for publication of the notices in extraordinary issue of Odisha Gazette.

“Communal harmony has been maintained. There was no significant law and order incident on the students, services, industrial, labour and agrarian front. The Maoist scenario in the state has also shown remarkable improvement,” said Naveen in reply on Home and GA&PG demand in the Assembly.

Stating that more than 5,000 candidates have been appointed in Odisha Police and the Prisons Organisation this year, he said clearance has been given to fill up more than 3,300 posts in police and almost a thousand in prisons and fire services.

Under 5T charter, Odisha Police launched Monitoring of Atrocity, National Commission Cases and Assistance to Victims (MANAV) portal in August 2023 to expedite the investigation cases under SC and ST Prevention of Atrocity Act and timely delivery of compensation to the victims, he added.

“We have zero tolerance towards crime and particularly crime against women. We have ensured free, fair, and impartial investigation. However, I am pained to see politicisation of very sensitive cases for narrow vested interests. This is an injustice to the victims of the case, to the committed police persons who work day and night and also to the people of Odisha. Even a lady officer on duty was physically assaulted. This cannot be tolerated in a civilised society,” the chief minister said.

In a message, Patnaik said, “I am deeply saddened by the passing away of eminent scientist Dr MS Swaminathan. Popularly known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India, Dr Swaminathan was instrumental in revolutionising the farm sector in India and catapulted the turnaround of farmers’ conditions. All through his life, he worked for the empowerment of farmers through technology, and advocated appropriate public policy for farmers.”

Remembering his strong association with Odisha, the Chief Minister said that Dr Swaminathan started his early days of research in Odisha, and was always available to help farmers of the state in every possible manner. His foundation is closely associated with improving farming activities in tribal areas of Odisha. His death created a huge void in the field of agricultural science.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday distributed the funds at a function through video-conferencing. The financial assistance was deposited in bank account of each of 44.56 lakh farmers in the state.

As many as 43,88,000 small and marginal farmers and 68,750 landless farmers would benefit from the assistance.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the farmers are pride of Odisha. “I want every farmer to lead a life of respect and dignity by participating in the development of the state. The government has already paid Rs 12,500 crore as financial assistance under the KALIA scheme so far,” he said.

Stating that the government has implemented several schemes for the welfare of the farmers, Naveen said it has been paying premium of crop insurance. More than 22 lakh farmers have already registered for crop insurance this year, he added.

Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain also spoke on the occasion. Development commissioner Anu Garg, secretary, Cooperative department Arabinda Aggarwal, Principal Secretary and Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment department Arabinda Padhee were also present while 5(T) secretary VK Pandian coordinated the programme.

According to sources, the CM will meet the Council of Ministers at 5.45 pm. The meeting of the Odisha Cabinet will begin at 6pm.

The sources further said that the draft proposal for the Supplementary Budget to be placed during the monsoon session of the Assembly, starting September 22, is likely to be discussed and approved during the meeting. The government is likely to present a Supplementary Budget of around Rs 20,000 crore for the financial year 2023-24.

A number of proposals from the General Administration Department, Sports and Youth Services, Health, Revenue, Panchayatiraj and Drinking Water departments may also get the Cabinet nod.

Earlier, there were reports that the government may place a supplementary budget of Rs 25,000 crore during this session amid speculation of early elections in the state. However, with this possibility waning, the size of the supplementary budget was reportedly scaled down. Provisions are likely to be made for schemes, including ‘Mo Ghara’ and ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’, which were announced after the Budget. An increased allocation for Rs 100 crore Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana, is also likely.

In February, the government had presented its last full-fledged state Budget of Rs 230 lakh crore for the financial year 2023-24, which was the highest ever, with a clear focus on agriculture, health, drinking water and road infrastructure that would give impetus to the rural economy.

Head coach Sergio Lobera, Captain and Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, and the home-grown talent Tankadhar Bag were present on this occasion.

The Chief Minister congratulated them on their spectacular performance in the last season and extended his best wishes for the upcoming matches.

The coach and captain thanked the Chief Minister for his support towards football and creating best facilities for the players.