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Jeypore, July 8 (UDN): The Odisha Vigilance Department on Tuesday arrested a senior mining official after allegedly catching him accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh from a sand leaseholder in Koraput district.

The accused, Satyajit Rout, Deputy Director (Geology)-cum-Deputy Director of Mines, Jeypore, allegedly demanded the money to facilitate the extension of a sand quarry lease and to provide favourable assistance in future spot auctions of sand sources.

According to Vigilance officials, the leaseholder lodged a complaint after being asked to pay the bribe for the official favour. Following verification of the allegation, a trap was laid, and the accused was allegedly caught while accepting the illegal gratification.

Officials recovered the entire ₹2 lakh bribe amount from Rout’s possession, and the tainted cash was seized as evidence.

Subsequently, Vigilance teams carried out simultaneous searches at properties linked to the accused. During a search of his residence in Rayagada, officials recovered an additional ₹2.9 lakh in cash. The total cash seized during the operation now stands at ₹4.9 lakh. Authorities are verifying the source of the recovered money as part of the ongoing investigation.

A case has been registered at the Koraput Vigilance Police Station under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Investigators are continuing searches and examining documents to determine whether the accused was involved in similar instances of corruption.

The Vigilance Department said further details will be disclosed as the investigation progresses.

Hamirpur, July 8 (UDN): While most people look forward to a quiet retirement, 75-year-old Milkhi Ram from Himachal Pradesh has chosen a different path—one driven by an unwavering passion for education. Already the holder of 32 academic degrees and qualifications, the lifelong learner has once again taken an examination, reinforcing the belief that learning has no age limit.

A resident of the Gandar area in Kangra district, Milkhi Ram recently appeared for the Master of Arts (Sanskrit) examination at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) study centre in Hamirpur. The programme is recognised as equivalent to the traditional Acharya degree. As the oldest candidate at the examination centre, his presence drew admiration from fellow students and invigilators alike.

Milkhi Ram’s educational journey spans more than five decades. After joining the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in 1972, he pursued higher education alongside his professional responsibilities. He completed his bachelor’s degree in 1976 and continued to enrol in academic programmes while balancing work and family life.

By the time he retired as a Grade-I officer in 2010, he had already earned 26 degrees. Since then, his academic accomplishments have continued to grow. His qualifications include B.Ed., LL.B., MBA, M.Phil., a Ph.D. in Hindi, Journalism, and postgraduate degrees in Hindi, Political Science, Sociology, History, English and Economics, among other disciplines.

Speaking about his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, Milkhi Ram said education is the greatest wealth a person can possess and that age should never become a barrier to learning. He encouraged young people to remain committed to their studies and to view education as a continuous process rather than a destination.

He also acknowledged the unwavering support of his wife, Vidya Devi, and other family members, crediting them for helping him pursue his academic ambitions over the years.

Officials at the IGNOU study centre lauded his dedication, describing him as a living example of lifelong learning. They said his remarkable journey demonstrates that determination, discipline and curiosity can inspire people across generations and prove that the pursuit of knowledge never truly ends.

Bhubaneswar, July 7 (UDN): The Odisha government is preparing to introduce a fully cashless land registration system, a move aimed at making property transactions more transparent, efficient and corruption-free. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday said the new mechanism has been designed to simplify the registration process while reducing the need for citizens to visit government offices.

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Announcing the initiative, the Minister said the government has finalised the framework for implementing the digital system, under which all financial transactions related to land registration will be carried out through cashless modes. The initiative is expected to eliminate cash handling and enhance transparency in property transactions across the state.

Under the proposed system, buyers and sellers will no longer be required to visit sub-registrar offices to submit applications after finalising a land deal. Instead, the registration process will be carried out digitally, with both parties required to appear only at the final stage for identity verification and execution of the sale deed.

Once the registration is completed, the digitally registered sale deed will be made available online, enabling applicants to access the document without waiting for a physical copy. The government believes the digital workflow will significantly reduce processing time and improve service delivery.

Speaking on the initiative, Pujari said the reform is intended to remove the role of middlemen, streamline procedures and make sub-registrar offices free from corrupt practices. He added that the operational modalities for the new system have already been finalised and the government is gearing up to launch the initiative soon.

The proposed cashless registration system forms part of the Odisha government’s broader push towards digital governance and citizen-centric public services. Officials expect the initiative to improve accountability, increase efficiency in land administration and provide a seamless, hassle-free experience for people buying or selling property in the state.

Nuapada, July 7 (UDN): In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing anti-Maoist operations, security forces on Tuesday unearthed a concealed Maoist arms dump deep inside the Patahara Reserve Forest near the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border in Nuapada district, recovering a large cache of firearms, explosives, ammunition, and other operational materials believed to have been stockpiled by Maoist cadres.

The recovery was made during a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Barpat Donger forest under the jurisdiction of Boden police station. The operation was launched following credible intelligence developed by the Nuapada District Police regarding the presence of a hidden Maoist cache in the forested region.

The search operation was carried out under the supervision of Nuapada Superintendent of Police Amritpal Singh, who monitored the combing exercise in the difficult hilly terrain. During the operation, security personnel discovered a concealed underground dump containing a substantial quantity of arms, explosives, and equipment allegedly used by members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).

According to police, the recovered cache included two country-made firearms, a country-made carbine with a magazine, 29 rounds of 7.62×39 mm AK-series ammunition, 54 rounds of 7.62×51 mm SLR ammunition, two tiffin improvised explosive devices (IEDs), eight gelatin sticks, around 1.5 kg of gunpowder, a detonator, batteries, a solar panel, electrical and codex wires, a multimeter, testing equipment, a wire cutter, Maoist uniforms, haversacks, shoes, medicines, cooking utensils, and Maoist literature.

Investigators suspect the recovered materials formed part of an old Maoist logistics and weapons cache concealed in the reserve forest for future operational use. The seizure is expected to significantly weaken the logistical capabilities of Maoist operatives active along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.

Speaking on the operation, SP Amritpal Singh said security forces have intensified combing and area domination exercises in the region to detect additional hidden dumps and prevent Maoist activities.

Following the recovery, surveillance has been strengthened across the border areas, with security agencies maintaining a high level of vigilance to curb the movement of Maoist cadres and dismantle their support infrastructure.

Police said sustained intelligence-based operations will continue in the region as part of the coordinated strategy to eliminate Left Wing Extremism and ensure peace and security in the border districts.

Jakarta/New Delhi, July 7 (UDN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid glowing tributes to former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik while addressing the Indonesian Parliament, recalling the legendary leader’s extraordinary contribution to Indonesia’s freedom struggle and describing his courage as a defining chapter in the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

Highlighting the shared history of India and Indonesia, the Prime Minister said Biju Patnaik played a pivotal role during Indonesia’s fight for independence by safely airlifting the country’s then Prime Minister and Vice President to India at a crucial juncture. He noted that India’s unwavering support for Indonesia’s independence, including raising the issue at the United Nations, helped forge an enduring partnership between the two nations.

“India became a strong voice for Indonesia’s independence at the United Nations. Biju Patnaik safely airlifted Indonesia’s then Prime Minister and Vice President to India. This courageous act brought the two nations closer,” Prime Minister Modi said in his address.

The Prime Minister’s remarks underscored Biju Patnaik’s enduring legacy as a statesman whose humanitarian values and fearless actions continue to symbolise the deep historical bond between India and Indonesia. His recognition in the Indonesian Parliament was seen as a tribute not only to the iconic Odia leader but also to the shared democratic values and mutual respect that have shaped bilateral relations over the decades.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi was conferred the Bintang Adipurna, Indonesia’s highest civilian honour, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening ties between the two countries. The award marks the 34th international honour received by the Prime Minister.

Accepting the honour, Modi dedicated the award to the people of India and said it reflected the enduring friendship between the two nations. He described the recognition as a symbol of the centuries-old cultural, historical, and civilisational links that continue to guide the India-Indonesia partnership.

The visit also witnessed the signing of several agreements aimed at expanding cooperation in strategic and technological sectors. The two countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in defence, including missile systems and related technologies, electronic voting machine (EVM) manufacturing, battery systems for defence applications, and port infrastructure development, reflecting a growing strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Prime Minister’s reference to Biju Patnaik’s historic mission was widely viewed as a proud moment for Odisha, reaffirming the former Chief Minister’s lasting contribution to international diplomacy and the strong foundation he helped build for India-Indonesia relations.

Berhampur, July 7 (UDN): Berhampur Railway Station is poised for a major transformation as Indian Railways has approved a comprehensive redevelopment project worth ₹300 crore to convert the station into a world-class transportation hub. The ambitious project aims to modernise passenger amenities, strengthen infrastructure, and improve overall rail connectivity in southern Odisha.

Announcing the project, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the redevelopment will be executed in two phases. He informed that all preparations for the first phase have been completed and construction work is expected to commence shortly.

“Berhampur Railway Station will be developed with world-class facilities. The work will be carried out in two phases. All preparations for Phase I have been completed, and the work will begin very soon,” the Railway Minister said.

The redevelopment plan includes the construction of a modern station building equipped with state-of-the-art passenger amenities, improved circulation areas, enhanced accessibility, upgraded waiting halls, digital information systems, better security arrangements, and other infrastructure aimed at providing a seamless travel experience.

The announcement has generated enthusiasm among residents, business communities, and railway passengers, who see the project as a significant step towards improving transportation infrastructure in the region. Many believe the upgraded station will not only enhance passenger convenience but also boost tourism, trade, and economic activities across southern Odisha.

While welcoming the Centre’s decision, several social organisations and railway users have urged the government to complement the infrastructure upgrade with better train connectivity. They have reiterated their long-standing demand to make Berhampur a regular originating and terminating station for more long-distance trains, arguing that the city’s growing passenger volume justifies additional services.

They have also sought the introduction of a direct train between Berhampur and Puri, pointing out that thousands of devotees from Ganjam district travel to the pilgrim town throughout the year. A dedicated service, they said, would significantly ease travel for pilgrims and other passengers.

In addition, the organisations have appealed for senior citizen-friendly facilities at the redeveloped station, including improved seating arrangements, barrier-free access, escalators, lifts, and dedicated assistance services to ensure greater comfort for elderly passengers.

The ₹300-crore redevelopment is expected to redefine Berhampur Railway Station as one of Odisha’s key railway gateways, offering modern infrastructure and world-class amenities while supporting the region’s expanding transportation needs.

Bhubaneswar, July 7 (UDN): In a bid to improve road safety and ensure stricter compliance with motor vehicle laws, the Odisha government has introduced tougher enforcement measures against traffic violations, empowering officials to seize vehicles operating without mandatory documents.

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The State Transport Authority (STA) has issued a fresh directive authorising enforcement officials to impound vehicles found plying without valid fitness certificates, insurance, permits, or other statutory documents. The move marks a shift from the earlier practice of imposing fines alone and is aimed at keeping unfit and non-compliant vehicles off the state’s roads.

The revised guidelines place special emphasis on habitual offenders. Vehicles repeatedly found violating provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act will now be liable for seizure, with authorities expected to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards recurring violations.

Officials said the decision is intended to strengthen road safety by ensuring that only legally compliant and roadworthy vehicles operate on public roads. The Transport Department believes the stricter enforcement will help reduce accidents linked to poorly maintained vehicles and encourage vehicle owners to keep their documents updated.

The STA has also directed enforcement personnel to carry out regular inspections and strictly implement the new guidelines. The circular cautions that officials failing to conduct inspections diligently or enforce the provisions effectively may face disciplinary action, underscoring the government’s focus on accountability.

The crackdown has already begun across the state. During a routine inspection in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, transport officials seized a private bus travelling from Cuttack to Berhampur after it was found operating without a valid fitness certificate.

Authorities have appealed to vehicle owners and transport operators to ensure that all mandatory documents, including fitness certificates, insurance, permits, registration certificates and driving licences, remain valid to avoid penal action. The Transport Department is expected to intensify enforcement drives across Odisha in the coming days as part of its broader strategy to improve road safety and strengthen compliance with traffic regulations.