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Odisha constitutes high-level committee to probe fatal bridge mishap in Cuttack

Bhubaneswar, May 4 (IANS) The state Works Department has constituted a high-level technical committee to probe the accident that occurred during the construction of a bridge over Kathajodi river at Khannagar in Cuttack, an official said on Sunday.

As many as three workers died while two others sustained grievous injuries due to the fatal accident that occurred on Sunday.

The technical committee has been instructed to submit a detailed report and the persons responsible for the tragic accident.

An official notification issued by the Odisha Works department on Sunday read: “A high-level Technical Committee is hereby constituted with the following members to enquire into the causes of fatal mishap that occurred on 03.05.2025 during execution of the project on improvement to Cuttack ring road to 6-Lane Standard from 19/600 Km to 21/700 km (Khannagar to Link Road) including 03-lane elevated corridor of 993 meter under State Plan. The Technical Committee will submit a detailed report along with the persons/entities responsible for such lapses to this Department within 15 days.”

The high-level technical committee chaired by the EIC-cum-Special Secretary to Government also comprises the Chairman Works Department, Chief Engineer Roads-II of Odisha and the Additional District Magistrate, (General) of Cuttack district.

Earlier, while speaking to mediapersons, the state Works Department minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Sunday termed the incident unfortunate and admitted that some error on the part of the agencies engaged in the execution of the project or the technical staff presented at the spot was responsible for the fatal mishap.

As per reports, three persons including one engineer died when a ready-made concrete slab, being lifted by a crane for the under-construction bridge on Kathajodi River, collapsed and crushed five persons including the deceased persons on Saturday evening.

Two persons seriously injured in the incident have been undergoing treatment at the SCB medical college and hospital in Cuttack. Following the incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the family members of the deceased.

–IANS

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India’s CAD declines to 1.3 per cent of GDP in July-September quarter

Mumbai, Dec 1 (IANS) India’s current account deficit moderated to $12.3 billion or 1.3 per cent of GDP in the second quarter (July-September) of 2025-26 from $20.8 billion or 2.2 per cent of GDP in the same quarter of the previous financial year, according to RBI data released on Monday.

The merchandise trade deficit, at $87.4 billion during the quarter, was lower than the corresponding figure of $88.5 billion in the same quarter of 2024-25.

Net services receipts during Q2 of the current financial year increased to $50.9 billion from $44.5 billion a year ago.

Services exports have risen on a year-on-year basis in major categories such as computer services and other business services, the RBI said.

Net outgo on the primary income account, mainly reflecting payments of investment income, increased to $ 2.2 billion in Q2:2025-26 from $9.2 billion in Q2:2024-25.

Personal transfer receipts under the secondary income account, mainly representing remittances by Indians employed overseas, rose to $38.2 billion during the quarter from $34.4 billion in the year-ago period.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) recorded a net inflow of $2.9 billion during the July-Sept quarter this year, as against a net outflow of $2.8 billion in the corresponding period of 2024-25, the RBI statement said.

Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) recorded a net outflow of $5.7 billion in Q2 of 2025-26 as against a net inflow of $9.9 billion in the same quarter of the previous financial year.

Net inflows under external commercial borrowings (ECBs) to India amounted to $1.6 billion in Q2:2025-26 as compared with net inflows of $5 billion in the corresponding period a year ago.

Non-resident deposits (NRI deposits) recorded a net inflow of $2.5 billion in the second quarter as compared with $6.2 billion a year ago.

There was a depletion of $10.9 billion to the foreign exchange reserves (on a BoP basis) in Q2 of 2025-26 as against an accretion of $18.6 billion in the same quarter of the previous financial year, the statement added.

–IANS

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Karnataka BJP stages protest march over ‘insult’ to Governor

Bengaluru, March 3 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP staged a protest march on Monday against the Congress-led state government before attending the first day of the budget session for allegedly insulting Governor Thaawarchand and Raj Bhavan.

The JD(S) MLAs also participated in the demonstration.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, along with all BJP MLAs and MLCs, marched from the Legislators’ Home to Vidhana Soudha.

The protesters carried banners with slogans like “Shame on the Congress for not respecting the Governor’s authority even after the High Court upheld it!” and “Down with the Congress government for curtailing the Governor’s position as Chancellor!” “Condemnation to the Chief Minister for tarnishing the constitutional office of the Governor!” “Down with the Congress, which opposes the President, Governor, Judiciary, ED, and CBI!” “Shame on the Congress government for indulging in low-level politics in the name of the Governor!” With these banners in hand, the BJP MLAs and MLCs participated in the protest march.

Speaking to the media, R. Ashoka stated that due to the guarantee schemes, the state government has reached a stage where it is practically holding a beggar’s bowl.

He accused CM Siddaramaiah’s government of undermining democracy. He further alleged that while the Congress-led Central government has amended the Constitution the most number of times, the Karnataka state government is now attempting to curtail the Governor’s powers.

“The Congress-led government is insulting the Governor. Instead of providing the necessary clarifications on several pending bills as sought by the Governor, Congress leaders are crying foul for no reason,” Ashoka said, referring to the issue of return of proposed bills from the Governor. “The same Congress leaders who humiliated the Governor are now making him read out a speech filled with praises for their governance,” he criticized.

“They should be ashamed. How could you hand over a speech to the Governor that glorifies your government?” Ashoka questioned.

“On one hand, the Congress claims that the Governor is unfair, yet on the other, they expect him to praise their government in his address to the joint session. In this context, we have taken up the protest march,” he stated.

–IANS

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