Argus News | Odisha News Today

Bhubaneswar, Nov 1 : The Odisha government on Sunday transferred Jail Director General (DG) Susant Kumar Nath and appointed him Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Home Department amid serious allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a former jailer. The former jailer lodged a complaint at Choudwar police station in Kataka, accusing Nath of sexually harassing her and threatening to terminate her from service. She also alleged that Nath threatened her to withdraw her complaint. Also Read : Odisha Vigilance arrests former Senior Revenue Assistant for allegedly misappropriating Rs 8.63 lakh Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the allegations. The Commissionerate Police has also informed the Home Department about the matter. Following the transfer, Santosh Bala, Director of the State Forensic Laboratory (SFL), has been given the charge of Additional Director General (ADG) of Prisons. She will take over the responsibility from Amitabh Thakur, w

Baripada, Nov 1 : The Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha reopened to tourists on Sunday, November 1, marking the beginning of the 2026-27 tourism season. Nature lovers and visitors can once again explore the reserve's lush forests, waterfalls and wildlife, subject to entry restrictions issued by the authorities. The Similipal authorities have introduced guidelines to ensure visitor safety and protect the reserve's biodiversity. Entry will be restricted to a maximum of 60 four-wheelers a day. Only vehicles with a ground clearance of at least 180 mm will be permitted. Of the daily quota, 35 vehicles will be allowed through the Kaliani entry gate near Jashipur, while 25 can enter through the Pithabata (Lulung) check gate from the Baripada side. Visitors entering through the Pithabata gate must report between 8 am and 9 am, while those using the Jashipur gate must enter between 5 am and 9 am. All tourists must leave the reserve through the exit gates before 6 pm. Online permits, mandatory g