Poll for RS seat

Bhubaneswar: The election for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha, which has been lying vacant following the death of Kalpataru Das in July, will be held on December 14. Filing of nomination papers will start after the notification is issued on November 26. The BJD, which has 117 representatives in the 147-member Assembly, is set to retain the seat. Das had been elected to the Upper House on April 3 last year.

Farmers’ loan

Bhubaneswar: All banks operating in Odisha have been asked to ensure adequate and timely advance of loan to farmers for current Rabi crop. The matter was discussed and decided in the State Level Bankers' Committee Meeting attended by chief secretary G.C. Pati on Wednesday.

Doping scandal

Bhubaneswar: Two Odia weightlifters — Pramila Kirsani and Minati Sethi — failed dope tests conducted during the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship at Pune. Both the weightlifters tested positive for stanozolol, an anabolic steroid. The Indian Weightlifting Federation suspended the duo following the report.

Suicide

Angul: In another case of alleged suicide, Ranjan Sahoo, a farmer in the district, killed himself by hanging on Wednesday.