Odisha News Today

New Delhi, July 29: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, through a voice vote. This Bill, passed after a stormy debate spanning several hours over two days, seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.The proposed amendment aims to enhance transparency and integrity in the examination system through stricter legal provisions while ensuring that the future of students remains fully protected. Among the key features are stringent penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to Rs 10 crore, confiscation of assets of those found guilty, and the establishment of a mechanism to ensure verdicts are delivered within three months.The move follows the Union Cabinet's approval of the Bill and related provisions, designed to establish fast-track courts and provide harsher punishment in cases involving paper leaks and examination fraud.Also Read: 47 Officials Terminated as Centre Conducts 'Overhaul' of National Testing AgencyThe initiative comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that a comprehensive Bill containing provisions for strong action against paper leaks would be introduced in the Parliament.As per the proposal, the fast-track courts will be mandated to complete trials and deliver judgments within three months, ensuring swift justice in examination-related offences.This also comes in the wake of the large-scale 'Sansad Chalo' protest held in New Delhi on July 20, where hundreds of students participated in a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against the NEET paper leaks and other examination-related irregularities.(With inputs from IANS)

Bhubaneswar, Jul 29: Heavy rainfall across Odisha has triggered alarming flood conditions, with several rivers breaching danger levels and inundating vast areas. In Bhadrak district, the Salandi River is flowing at 19 feet against the danger mark of 17 feet at Rajghat, while at Akhuapada, the water level has surged to 20.26 feet against the danger mark of 18.33 feet. The rising waters of Salandi and Baitarani have sparked panic among residents, with Bhadrak town itself witnessing floodwater intrusion in 20 wards and over 10 panchayats. Also read: Cuttack Collector Issues Prohibitory Orders Amid Rising Waters of Mahanadi River The Baitarani’s impact is severe in Bhandaripokhari block, where floodwaters have entered 10 panchayats including Jhuntuna, Balipokhari, Ranjit, Solampur, Malda, Napang, Korigaon, and Bandal Manjuri. Connectivity between Bhandaripokhari and Jajpur has been cut off. Similarly, seven panchayats in Dhamnagar block are submerged. To tackle the crisis, the district administration has deployed seven NDRF teams across Bhandaripokhari, Dhamnagar, and Tihidi blocks for rescue operations. In Anandapur, the Baitarani River is flowing at 40.230 meters, well above the danger mark of 38.360 meters. A 50-foot breach has developed near the ring road close to Anandapur market, isolating over 15 villages in Hatadihi block from the outside world. Athmallik subdivision is also reeling under incessant rainfall. The Raibahal bridge on the Kishorenagar-Madhapur road is submerged under three feet of water, halting all vehicular movement. Four panchayats in Kishorenagar block remain cut off, with daily life, emergency services, and market access severely disrupted. Authorities have advised residents to avoid crossing the bridge until water recedes. Meanwhile, Hirakud Dam is witnessing a sharp rise in inflow. At 6 AM, the reservoir level stood at 615.95 feet, with an inflow of 3.5 lakh cusecs per second. Two gates have been opened to release 64,219 cusecs per second, and more gates may be opened if inflow continues to rise due to heavy rainfall in Chhattisgarh and upstream catchment areas. On a positive note, water levels are receding at Mundali Barrage and Sapua Nadi near Athgarh, reducing flood fears in those regions. Currently, Mundali is discharging 5.73 lakh cusecs of floodwater. The deep depression over western Odisha has weakened into a depression but remains active over Sambalpur and adjoining areas. IMD has issued an orange alert for Bargarh district and yellow alerts for Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, and Nabarangpur. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in these districts over the next 24 hours, raising concerns of further flooding.