Odisha Congress protests fuel price hike
Bhubaneswar, June 4: The Odisha Congress workers took to streets here and in Cuttack holding banners and party flags to ensure a six-hour 'chaka jam' on Monday to protest the hike in petroleum products across the country.
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) observed the strike in the twin cities starting 6 a.m. as vehicular movement came to a standstill.
The Congress leaders and workers resorted to picketing at several key points in the two cities. As a result, many cars, buses and trucks remained stranded at various junctions.
The general public and office-goers faced harrowing experience as they could not manage a commute.
"I am overwhelmed by the support we have received from residents of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to our call for protest against rising fuel prices.
"It's not a shutdown, but a protest by Odisha Congress, where people from all walks of life have joined us in not using their vehicles till 12 noon," said OPCC President Niranjan Patnaik.
He blamed the Centre and state government for the rising fuel price.
"Both the Centre and state can keep the fuel price under check by reducing taxes levied on it," said Patnaik.
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Bengaluru: Four South African cheetahs arrive at Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bengaluru: Four cheetahs, including two females, have arrived at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) from South Africa, NDTV reported.
The animals, brought from Induna Primate and Parrot Park in South Africa, landed at Kempegowda International Airport at around 1:15 am on Saturday. The transfer was carried out in accordance with the Wild Life (Protection) Act, BBP said in a statement.
Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre received the cheetahs at the airport cargo terminal.
The Minister asked officials and veterinary teams to ensure strict quarantine protocols, a prescribed diet, and close health monitoring for 30 days to help the animals acclimate smoothly.
Highlighting that cheetahs, locally known as “Sivangi,” have disappeared from Karnataka’s forests, the minister stressed the need to raise public awareness through zoological institutions. He also instructed Dr Sunil Panwar, Member Secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), to prioritise the safety and well-being of the animals.
The BBP officials said that before transportation, the cheetahs underwent thorough health inspections and quarantine in South Africa as per the guidelines of the Department of Animal Husbandry.
Required No Objection Certificates (NoC) were also obtained from Animal Quarantine Services prior to import.
"Upon arrival at BBP, the animals have been placed in a designated quarantine facility for post-import health checks and observation, after which they will be shifted to their enclosures for public viewing," the BBP said.
This import underscores BBP's commitment to international collaboration in wildlife conservation, scientific management of animals, and strict adherence to regulatory protocols. It further strengthens the park's role in ex-situ conservation and environmental education, official said.
