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What was meant to be a deeply spiritual and joyous occasion turned tragic this year as the annual Rath Yatra in Puri witnessed major lapses in crowd control, resulting in three deaths and injuries to over 700 devotees. The breakdown of administrative control during one of Odisha’s most significant religious events has sparked widespread criticism and concern.

Stampede-Like Situation on Day One

The festival began with massive footfall, as lakhs of devotees gathered to pull the chariots of the deities. But just a short distance into the procession, Lord Jagannath’s Nandighosh chariot came to a halt due to uncontrolled crowd pressure. The situation quickly spiraled into panic, with a stampede-like effect causing casualties. Hospitals in Puri admitted nearly 700 injured people by the end of the day.

Despite high-level preparations and months of planning, the administration failed to manage the crowd effectively. Traffic congestion around Puri made matters worse, with vehicles stuck for hours, adding to the chaos and delaying emergency services.

Chief Minister Calls It ‘Unforgivable’; Action Taken

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi termed the lapses “unforgivable” and publicly apologized for the tragedy. In the immediate aftermath, several district-level officers were transferred or suspended. However, the lack of action against senior officials has raised eyebrows.

While lower-level officers have been penalized, senior IPS officials who oversaw security, traffic, and command centre operations have not faced consequences, leading to accusations that junior officers are being made scapegoats.

Top-Level Review Meeting in Puri

To control the damage and prevent further incidents during the remaining rituals—Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha—the Chief Minister visited Puri for an emergency review. Present at the meeting were Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Puri MP Sambit Patra, and senior police officials.

The discussions also included servitors of the Jagannath Temple, many of whom raised concerns over mismanagement and disrespect by certain temple authorities. Law Minister Harichandan dismissed some of the claims but assured grievances would be addressed.

Promise of Zero Casualty vs Reality

Earlier promises made by the state government, including a “zero-casualty Rath Yatra” and a high-tech command centre, now seem hollow. DGP Y.B. Khurania had arrived in Puri four days ahead of the festival with a dedicated team, but even then, the system collapsed.

Critics have pointed to the inexperience of several officers, many of whom are non-Odias and unfamiliar with the intricate cultural logistics of Rath Yatra. The role of senior officers, especially those above district SP Vineet Agrawal, has come under fire, yet no punitive action has followed.

Political Reactions: Congress Demands Judicial Inquiry

While the Congress has sharply criticised the handling of the event, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has maintained a conspicuous silence. State Congress President Bhakta Charan Das rejected the state government’s probe led by Development Commissioner Anu Garg, terming it inadequate and biased. Das demanded a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge, stating that internal committees cannot impartially investigate their own leadership.

Anu Garg, however, visited the mishap site and interacted with stakeholders. She has been tasked with submitting a detailed report within a month.

A Blow to Odisha’s Cultural Identity

The Rath Yatra is not merely a festival but a cornerstone of Odisha’s cultural and spiritual identity. This year’s mismanagement has deeply hurt the emotions of devotees and cast a shadow over the image of the state administration. With more rituals upcoming, pressure is mounting on the government to ensure no further lapses occur.

Odisha Awaits Accountability

As investigations continue, the people of Odisha await answers. Who will be held responsible for the loss of lives and the breakdown in administration? Will the state take meaningful steps to prevent such tragedies in future?

For millions of Jagannath devotees, these are not just administrative questions—they strike at the heart of faith and tradition.

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News 1: First Covid Case in 3 Years Reported in Bhubaneswar

After a three-year hiatus, Covid-19 has resurfaced in Odisha with the first case confirmed in Bhubaneswar. The infected individual, a senior citizen with multiple health conditions, had recently returned from Delhi and was placed under home quarantine after showing symptoms. Testing confirmed he was Covid positive.

News 2 : Rath Yatra Security Tightened After Previous Chariot Incident

In response to the previous incident where Lord Balabhadra fell from the chariot, the temple administration has intensified security measures for the upcoming Rath Yatra. A senior official, along with the Badagrahi, will inspect the Charmal post-tying. The Chhatisha Niyog meeting finalized the Rath Yatra schedule, which starts at 9 AM on June 27, with the chariot procession beginning at 4 PM.

News 3: CM Reviews Welfare Schemes for Women and Children

At Lokseba Bhawan, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed two key initiatives under the Women and Child Development Department: the ‘Aame Padhiba Ama Jaggaan’ literacy drive and the ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana.’ Currently, over 10,600 Anganwadi centers in 15 districts are educating children in 17 indigenous languages.

News 4: Panchayat By-Elections Deferred Due to Monsoon

The State Election Commission has postponed the Panchayat by-elections due to the early arrival of the monsoon. The notification for filling 1,131 vacant posts has been canceled. A new date will be announced later, as requested by district officials and candidates.

News 5: Student Council Elections to Return in Colleges by Dussehra

Student council elections are set to return to college campuses, with preparations already underway. The Higher Education Department has started the registration process, aiming to begin classes by July 15. If all goes according to plan, elections will be concluded before Dussehra, said Higher Education Minister Suryavanshi Suraj.

News 6: Monsoon Advances Across Key Regions of the Indian Ocean

Monsoon winds have begun sweeping through several parts of the South Arabian Sea, Maldives, and Bay of Bengal. They are expected to expand to regions including Lakshadweep, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the northeastern states in the coming days.

News 7: Indian Delegation Briefs Japan on Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor

An Indian delegation led by JDU MP Sanjay Jha has arrived in Tokyo to brief Japanese officials about the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. They were welcomed by the Indian Ambassador and will engage in meetings with various Japanese officials. The team also includes MPs Aparajita Sarangi and Abhishek Banerjee.

News 8: Heavy Rain and Storm Disrupt Life in Delhi

Delhi experienced heavy rainfall and thunderstorms on Wednesday evening, particularly in the NCR region. Gusts of wind reaching up to 80 kmph were recorded in Safdarjung. The storm uprooted trees, brought down hoardings, and disrupted power supply and traffic. The Delhi Fire Brigade received over 25 emergency calls.

News 9: Open Heart Surgery Begins at MKCG Medical College

Open heart surgery will soon be available at MKCG Medical College in Berhampur. Previously, the lack of trained perfusionists hindered the service. After intervention by DMET, a perfusionist was transferred from SCB Medical College in Cuttack. Dr. Suchitra Dash, the superintendent, confirmed that the service will begin within a week.

News 10: Kapil Sharma’s Long-Time Associate Krishna Das Passes Away

Krishna Das, fondly known as Das Dada and a long-time associate photographer for Kapil Sharma’s show, has passed away. He had been a dedicated member of the team for years and contributed behind the scenes to the show’s success.

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News 1: Travel Allowance for Agri Overseers Hiked
The Odisha government has raised the monthly travel allowance for agricultural overseers from ₹450 to ₹1,500. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved the proposal. Overseers, who travel at least 20 days a month, had previously received ₹300, which was increased to ₹450 in 2023. While similar-level posts saw further hikes, theirs did not—until now. Of the 1,567 sanctioned posts, 1,257 are currently filled.

News 2: Unseasonal Rain Declared State Disaster
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has declared unseasonal rainfall a state disaster, allowing farmers to receive aid from the State Disaster Response Fund. Up to 10% of the SDRF’s annual allocation can be used. In December 2024, 22,791 hectares of crops were damaged, affecting nearly 6.66 lakh farmers.

News 3: Govt Seeks Public Suggestions for Vision 2047 & 2036
As part of the “Developed India 2047” and “Developed Odisha 2036” goals, workshops were held across the state. Deputy CM Parvathi Parida and four ministers attended the Balasore event, collecting proposals from citizens and officials across party lines to shape inclusive policies.

News 4: Yellow Alert for Storms Amid Intense Heat
Odisha is facing intense heat and stormy weather, with Kala Baisakhi storms affecting several areas. The Met Department has issued a yellow alert for 18 districts, warning of winds up to 50 kmph with lightning. Rain has helped reduce temperatures by 4–5°C in some northern areas and 2–3°C in parts of southern Odisha.

News 5: YouTuber Laba  Hansada in Suicide Controversy
YouTuber Laba Hansada has been accused in connection with the suicide of his partner, Solmi Murmu, in Bengaluru. Solmi’s brother filed a police complaint, alleging that Love mentally tortured her over suspicions of multiple affairs, leading to her tragic death.

News 6: Trump Slammed Over IMF Aid to Pakistan
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is under fire for not blocking IMF aid to Pakistan. A U.S. military strategist questioned why the administration funded a country allegedly supporting terrorism and stated such aid also benefits China.

News 7: Jaishankar Talks to Taliban Leader for First Time
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Taliban’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki for the first time. Jaishankar thanked him for condemning the Pahalgam terror attack and reaffirmed India’s long-standing friendship and support for Afghanistan.

News 8: Jamia Suspends Ties with Turkey Over Security Concerns
Jamia Millia Islamia has suspended its academic partnership with Turkey, citing national security concerns. The announcement was made via social media. Earlier, JNU had also suspended a similar agreement with a Turkish university.

News 9: FIR Against Rahul Gandhi for Unauthorized Visit
Two FIRs have been filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and 20 others for entering the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar, without permission. He allegedly used a back entrance to address members of the SC/ST community, leading to legal action.

News 10: Trump Opposes iPhone Manufacturing in India
President Donald Trump has objected to Apple CEO Tim Cook’s plan to manufacture iPhones in India. His remarks drew criticism from BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who later deleted her post following instructions from BJP President JP Nadda.

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Engineers’ Service Association (OESA) has intensified its demand to appoint an engineer as the Secretary of the Works Department. In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the association urged the government to restore the tradition of appointing engineers to head the department, an engineering domain by nature and function.

Since 1974, engineers have been at the helm of the Works Department, steering major infrastructure development across Odisha. This tradition saw a break during the BJD government’s tenure when, in 2003-04, IAS officer Arabinda Behera was appointed as Works Secretary. After his brief stint, the post returned to engineers from 2004 to 2019. Under the leadership of Er. Subhendu Kumar Ray (2007–2013) and Er. Nalini Pradhan (2013–2019), the department achieved major milestones in road, bridge, and building projects.

Political Interference led to a Shift in 2019

In 2019, the BJD government once again disrupted the tradition by appointing IAS officer Kishan Kumar as Works Secretary. This decision was not backed by any cabinet resolution or formal policy. The aim was to keep tight political control over the department.

Projects Suffered Under Bureaucratic Leadership

Although the number of projects increased during Kishan Kumar’s tenure, the execution suffered. Projects were implemented in a scattered manner, leading to delays, inflated costs, and technical deviations. Lacking engineering expertise, the Secretary failed to motivate the department’s engineers or manage technical tasks effectively.

The department began outsourcing core responsibilities to private consultants. This shift drained hundreds of crores from the State exchequer. It also eroded in-house capabilities and accountability.

Engineer as Odisha Works Secretary

In its appeal, the OESA said engineering departments require technical vision, sound judgment, and professional oversight. “Only engineers can understand the complexities of infrastructure projects. Their education, experience, and training equip them to ensure timely, cost-effective, and sustainable outcomes,” the association noted.

The letter added that leadership by engineers fosters a culture of professionalism, innovation, and technical compliance—essential for long-term development goals.

Demand to Restore Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary Post

The OESA has strongly recommended reinstating the post of Engineer-in-Chief-cum-Secretary for the Works Department. “We must bring back engineers to lead the department to uphold its professional standards and ensure Odisha’s infrastructure agenda moves in the right direction,” the letter stated.

CM Mohan Majhi’s Intervention Sought

OESA has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to act on this long-standing issue. The association believes the restoration of an engineer as Works Secretary will strengthen project implementation, enhance accountability, and restore pride among the engineering fraternity of the State.

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Bhubaneswar – A large number of key engineering positions remain vacant across Odisha’s Works, Water Resources (WR), and Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Departments, severely affecting the timely execution of critical infrastructure projects. The Odisha Engineers’ Service Association (OESA) has vehemently opposed the recent trend of hiring retired engineers and has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to intervene immediately.

580 AEE Posts Remain Unfilled Amid GATE Requirement Controversy

Despite issuing a notification for 580 Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) posts across the three departments, the State Government has not initiated recruitment. The Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) made GATE qualification mandatory for applicants, leading to legal challenges in the Orissa High Court. Although the High Court delivered its verdict, no further action has been taken by the government to restart or conclude the recruitment process.

This delay is causing severe administrative and on-ground execution challenges for vital public projects.

Retired Engineers Filling the Void: A Backdoor Entry Alleged

The Works Department recently directed the recruitment of 186 retired engineers, a move that OESA claims violates fair recruitment norms. A letter issued by Works Department Additional Secretary Pradip Kumar Sahu on February 16, 2025, approved the engagement of these retirees under the Odisha Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1956.

OESA alleged that this is not a merit-based recruitment but rather a rehabilitation scheme to benefit a section of retired personnel, risking the efficiency and quality of development work in the State.

OESA’s Charter of Demands Ignored by State Government

In its appeal to the Chief Minister, the OESA demanded:

• Appointment of a Secretary with an engineering background in the Works Department

• Immediate filling of all vacant engineering posts

• No appointment of retired engineers in regular positions

• A 60-70% increase in engineer recruitment across departments

However, the government has neither fulfilled these demands nor taken any steps to address the staffing crisis.

Delays Threaten Development, Engineer Cadre Feels Marginalised

The association also highlighted that while IAS and OAS officers receive continued attention and support from the administration, engineers—who execute development on the ground—face neglect and demoralisation. The increasing reliance on retired personnel over fresh talent also deprives young engineers of employment opportunities and stalls innovation in project implementation.

New Government’s Promises Still Unmet

As the new “people’s government” led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is yet to fulfil several of its pre-election promises, urgent recruitment of regular engineers is essential to prevent further delays in development projects and to restore public trust.

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