Rural banks
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday directed panchayat officers to ensure banking services in the villages that do not have banks in the state. He said banking correspondents would ensure availability of banking services to villagers with the help of the respective panchayat officers. The chief minister said this step would help rural people to combat the current currency crisis.
Murder arrest
Sambalpur: Jharusguda police on Tuesday arrested one person in connection with the killing of Sabitri Oram, 27, who was shot dead on Sunday. “We have arrested the main accused, Gabbar Toppo, 27, of Kabrasth-anpara in Jharsuguda and seized a Mauzer used in the murder,” said sub-divisional police officer of Jharsuguda B.K. Nanda.
Fuel cheaper
Bhubaneswar: Petrol price was slashed by Rs 1.46 a litre on Tuesday. The price of diesel has also been slashed by Rs 1.53 a litre. With this change, petrol would now cost Rs 66.32 a litre and diesel Rs 60.02 a litre in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The revised prices would be applicable from midnight.
Bodies found
Sambalpur: Two brothers met a watery grave in Bhawanipatna on Tuesday after their bodies were recovered from a pond this evening. According to reports, the boys, aged below 8 years, were missing since morning.
Artist dead
Puri: Eminent pattachitra artist Ananta Maharana passed away at his ancestral village in Dandasahi in Puri district this morning. Maharana died of protracted illness. He was 88.