Export growth

Bhubaneswar: Despite the economic slow down, the state has registered 53 per cent growth in export earnings in the last fiscal year. The state earned Rs 18,780 crore from export against the total export worth Rs 12,245 crore during the previous year. This fact came to light at the state-level empowered committee meeting, chaired by chief secretary Gokul Chandra Pati on Wednesday.

BSF personnel

Bhubaneswar: In a meeting between the state police and the Border Security Force (BSF), it was decided that BSF personnel would be redeployed in the Maoist-hit areas of the state. Director-general of Odisha police Sanjiv Marik and BSF additional DG K.K. Sharma discussed about the new strategy to combat extremism in the state.

Protest ends

Rourkela: The rail roko by Adivasi and Mulabasi Manch was called off on Wednesday. The blockade was withdrawn after a brief discussion between the district administration officials and the agitators. Additional district magistrate K.S. Chakraverthy said: “We listened to their grievances and assured them that we will arrange a meeting with the housing and urban development minister.”

Pucca houses

Berhampur: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik released the logo of Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana at the Sheragada block office in Ganjam on Wednesday. “Biju babu had a dream that the poor families of Odisha would live in pucca houses and our government has launched the yojana by utilising its own resources,” said Naveen. He added that the government intends to construct houses for 25 lakh families at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore in the coming five years.

Agitation

Balasore:  A rail roko agitation will be held in Jaleswar to protest against the postponement of the extension of two trains running between Howrah and Belda up to Jaleswar. The South Eastern Railway authorities were planning to start the service by the end of January. But they postponed the work.  

Boat capsize

Malkangiri: Three people were missing and as many swam ashore when a fishing boat in which they were travelling capsized in  Sileru river in Malkangiri district on Tuesday night.