BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Monday announced 314 villages of four districts, Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Nuapada, as drought-hit for poor rainfall during rainy season in 2012 leading to 50% crop loss.

Revenue minister S N Patro told the assembly that the declaration was made based on the crop-cutting experiment report received from collectors of these districts. He said the affected farmers of the areas would be eligible to get compensation as per the relief code.

Despite concern over the end use of both ground and river water for industrial purposes, the use of ground water for drinking, irrigation and industries in Odisha is 26.14 per cent.

The unseasonal rains and hailstorm that hit north coastal districts on December 11 and 12 claimed eight lives apart from damaging standing crop and houses.

The State Government has plans to create mangrove forest on 720 hectares to counter cyclones in coastal districts.

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has failed to utilise the funds for the last three years despite increasing assistance from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) every year.

BARIPADA: Already shocked over frequent elephant killings in Similipal and Kuldiha reserve forests, the forest authorities here are in for some more trouble.

BALASORE: A day after the Indian Army struck gold with Prithvi-II, the Navy on Friday achieved another milestone in its on-going strategic programme with the successful flight testing of nuke-capab

Launched from a ship, the missile met mission objectives in a flawless performance.

India Thursday successfully test fired its indigenously developed, nuclear-capable ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a test range in Odisha, an official said.

Shrimp farmers and exporters in the State are worried.