VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Watch: Russia successfully launches Indian-origin Nasa astronaut Anil Menon to space Meet Mira Trivedi, Indian-origin student in New Jersey who’s pushing her school to not call Hitler’s symbol ‘swastika’ Why is IBM stock crashing today? Shares plunge over 25% – here’s what’s driving the fall Ariana Grande overcomes technical glitch at Brooklyn concert amid romantic verse change for Ricky Alvarez: ‘Did you hear any of that?’ Mark Twain Quote: Quote of the Day by Mark Twain: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views…” – why travel is the best cure Govt releases first services production index; 14 of 19 sub-sectors post double-digit growth Central expert panel approves environmental clearance for 1,000 MW Naying hydro-power project of Arunachal Pradesh NEW DELHI: An expert panel of the Union environment ministry has recommended green clearance to the 1,000 MW Naying hydro-electric project, paving the way for other statutory clearances and construction of this run-of-the-river project across the Siyom River in Siang and Shi-Yomi districts, close to the India-China border, in Arunachal Pradesh.Environmental clearance (EC) of the project was pending for a long time. It will be constructed at an estimated cost of more than Rs 11,835 crore in an area of over 470 hectares by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation, giving a major boost to renewable energy in the region.The EC was approved for the project by an expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the ministry with certain mandatory environmental conditions in its 57th meeting on June 29-30.Though a total of 12 villages will be affected due to acquisition of land for various components of the proposed project, the panel accepted the detailed plan of the project proponent for relief and rehabilitation of the displaced families.“Land acquired for the project shall be suitably compensated in accordance with the prevailing guidelines of the state govt and provisions under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013,” said the panel in its conditional approval.After getting EC, the project proponent will now obtain forest clearance under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1986, in case of the diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose and clearance from the National Board for Wildlife, if applicable.The minutes of the meeting, released on Monday, however, claimed that no project component falls in any notified protected area. “There are no national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, Tiger/Elephant Reserves, Wildlife corridors etc. within 10 km distance from the project site,” it said.Compensatory afforestation, wildlife conservation, air quality monitoring/ preservation; noise monitoring/ prevention; waste management; and risk mitigation and disaster management are among the other conditions attached to the EC. “The project authorities must strictly adhere to the stipulations made by the State Pollution Control Board and the state govt,” said the minutes of the meeting.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorVishwa MohanVishwa Mohan is Senior Editor at The Times of India. He writes on environment, climate change, agriculture, water resources and clean energy, tracking policy issues and climate diplomacy. He has been covering Parliament since 2003 to see how politics shaped up domestic policy and India’s position at global platform. Before switching over to explore sustainable development issues, Vishwa had covered internal security and investigative agencies for more than a decade.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosOp Vijay: How India Captured Tololing And Point 5140 Before Tiger HillAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over GlitchAssam Pushback Policy: Govt Reveals First Official Data On Repatriation To BangladeshJ&K Court Seeks Records In Rs 550 Crore Alleged Fake Silver Offerings Case At Vaishno Devi ShrineIndia Summons Iran’s Deputy Ambassador After Hormuz Tanker Strike Kills Indian Crew Member123Photostories8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mindAlia Bhatt serves gothic glam in an all-black look as she joins Sohum Shah for ‘Tumbbad 2’Your kidneys could be losing function for years before creatinine rises; Doctor explains the silent damage most people never notice10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before decidingChef Sanjeev Kapoor urges revival of Kerala’s heritage cuisine, shares 5 timeless forgotten dishes worth tryingStop saying ‘We Can’t Afford It’ to your kids: Psychology says these 3 simple phrases work much betterEurope has seen 46°C and beyond: 9 countries that have recorded astonishing heat extremes123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war US stocks today: Wall Street trades in green; stocks steady as US inflation data better than expected ‘Akshay Kumar jumped at playing a flop hero’: ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ writer reveals reaction to playing a failing Bhojpuri actor whose ’14 films have tanked’ ‘The dumbest thing I’ve done’: Former Microsoft employee on quitting his Rs 1.9 crore job Scientists discover hyenas have a secret language of facial expressions and sounds that helps prevent fights from turning deadly First came ‘Use AI’, then don’t ‘use AI for’…: How dos and don’ts have changed for engineers in 24 months ‘Political conspiracy was hatched’: Rekha Gupta blames AAP top brass after Tahir Hussain’s Delhi riots conviction | India News MS Dhoni and Kriti Sanon steal the spotlight at India vs England ODI with surprise appearance | Cricket News Government considering to take legal action against unauthorised screenings of Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Satluj’ without obtaining any CBFC certificate: Report 8 ways to stop overthinking before it steals your peace of mind ‘He said he’d be back next week’: Family shares Andhra Pradesh victim’s final call before Vietnam boat tragedy Captain Cook’s famous shipwreck RI 2394 finally found after a 26-year search in Rhode Island | World News . NEW DELHI: The West Bengal government on Tuesday withdrew its appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta high court’s May 2024 judgment that struck down the inclusion of 77 communities, including 75 Muslim communities, in the state’s Other Backward Classes (OBC) list.The Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal after the state informed the court that the West Bengal Cabinet had decided not to pursue the appeal.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana permitted the withdrawal after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state, informed the court of the Cabinet’s decision.The appeal had originally been filed by the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. The withdrawal comes after the BJP assumed power in West Bengal following the 2026 Assembly elections.The West Bengal Backward Classes Commission also withdrew its separate appeal against the high court’s judgment.Senior advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for some affected persons, sought liberty to pursue separate special leave petitions (SLPs).While allowing the withdrawals, the Supreme Court clarified that its order would not prevent any other aggrieved party from challenging the Calcutta high court judgment.On November 6, 2025, the apex court had directed that no further proceedings be held before the Calcutta high court in the matter while hearing multiple petitions challenging the verdict.In May 2024, the Calcutta high court struck down the inclusion of 77 communities in the state’s OBC list, holding that the reservation granted to them was legally unsustainable. Of the 77 communities, 75 were Muslim communities. The court observed that religion appeared to have been the sole criterion for granting OBC status and found legal infirmities in the identification process.The high court had quashed OBC status granted to 77 communities between April and September 2010. It had also struck down the inclusion of 37 additional classes under the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012.With the withdrawal of the state’s appeal, the challenge to the high court judgment will now continue only if pursued by other affected parties before the Supreme Court.Recently, the BJP-led West Bengal government discontinued religion-based categorisation under the earlier OBC framework and passed two Bills to restructure the state’s reservation policy in line with the high court’s judgment.Under the revised framework, the state retained only the 66 communities recognised through surveys conducted before 2010 and removed the 77 communities whose inclusion had been invalidated by the high court. It also reduced OBC reservation in government services and posts from 17% to 7% and restored the statutory role of the Backward Classes Commission in conducting surveys, examining applications for inclusion or exclusion of communities, and making recommendations to the state government.The government also regularised the 66 pre-2010 OBC communities, making them eligible for the revised 7% reservation quota in government jobs and services. The list includes communities such as Kapali, Kurmi, Karmakar, Sutradhar, Swarnakar, Napit, Tanti, Dhanuk, Kasai, Devanga and Goala, along with three Muslim communities: Paharia, Hajjam and Chowduli.(with inputs from PTI)Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAssam’s Tinsukia Uses CCTV And LED Screens To Shame Alleged Public Urinators’Brazenly Violated Our Order’: Supreme Court Imposes ₹3 Lakh Fine On Comedian Samay RainaCalls For Wangchuk To Call Off Hunger Strike Grow: Politicians, Actors, Even Dipke Issue Appeals₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over GlitchAssam Pushback Policy: Govt Reveals First Official Data On Repatriation To BangladeshJ&K Court Seeks Records In Rs 550 Crore Alleged Fake Silver Offerings Case At Vaishno Devi ShrineIndia Summons Iran’s Deputy Ambassador After Hormuz Tanker Strike Kills Indian Crew MemberPahalgam Attack: Jammu Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Hafiz Saeed | Watch123Photostories10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless playsAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before decidingChef Sanjeev Kapoor urges revival of Kerala’s heritage cuisine, shares 5 timeless forgotten dishes worth tryingStop saying ‘We Can’t Afford It’ to your kids: Psychology says these 3 simple phrases work much betterEurope has seen 46°C and beyond: 9 countries that have recorded astonishing heat extremesFrom a private lift, massive indoor swimming pool to a home theatre: Inside Abhishek Malhan’s lavish abodeThese 5 Indian breakfast foods could be the secret to long and healthy locksWimbledon 2026’s richest accessory trend: Luxury celebrity watches that cost more than supercars123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war Jul 14, 2026, 19:38 IST Megan Fox’s ex-husband, Brian Austin Green, says their relationship became toxic: ‘I didn’t want to repeat things’ Thane hospital assault case: Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre gets bail on Rs 50,000 cash bond Marine fossils found near Mount Everest summit tell the remarkable story of a vanished ocean | World News Vietnam boat tragedy: Phu Quoc chief rejects allegations of delayed rescue | India News Daveigh Chase leaves USD 400,000-worth property without a will; mother files petition in Los Angeles Superior Court 10 literary baby names inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless plays OFFSIDE | World Cup 2026 semi-final: Why England vs Argentina is more war than football Two brothers detained by Pakistani forces found dead in Balochistan; custodial death concerns raised Trump’s ‘guardian’ fee: How much would a supertanker have to pay to cross Strait of Hormuz? This ‘Dhamaal 4’ actor once washed utensils for Rs 150 at Dhaba in Rishikesh, now owns Rs 4.95 crore home “Stop overburdening your kids”: Doctor-entrepreneur highlights the biggest mistake many modern parents are making | Google AI CEO Demis Hassabis and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman do not agree on how AI can be made safe; says: I have spent my whole life working on … New York bans data center permits for one year: ‘As data center development threatens ⁠to hike up utility bills… it’s my responsibility…’ . NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday called for an artificial intelligence-driven economic transition that protects jobs, social security and human dignity, while Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) pressed for alternative economic models to tackle poverty, unequal wealth distribution and vulnerabilities faced by workers under the free-market system.At the inaugural session of the BRICS Trade Union Forum Summit 2026, labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya said India’s approach to global governance was rooted in its “Humanity First” philosophy and stressed that the gains from technology-led growth must reach workers on the shop floor.“The transition into a digital, AI-driven economy must remain worker-centric, equitable and protective of human dignity,” Mandaviya said. As technology reshapes industries, he added, the focus must shift towards universal social protection and digital inclusion.“True progress is achieved only when the benefits of growth extend directly to the shop floor,” the minister said.BMS, which organised the summit, said the global economic order must provide equitable labour rights and formal protection to workers at the last mile. The trade union forum will examine socioeconomic frameworks aimed at ensuring genuine poverty alleviation, representative decision-making and fairer distribution of wealth.BMS national president and summit chairperson Sunkari Mallesham said the prosperity of workers was inseparable from national and global progress. “When workers prosper, nations prosper. When nations cooperate, humanity prospers,” he said.The two-day summit has brought together over 46 international delegates and around 70 representatives of Indian trade unions, besides academics and labour experts. Delegates from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa, as well as representatives of the International Labour Organization, are participating in the deliberations.The summit will focus on four broad areas — universal social security, human-centric use of technology, future-ready skills and women’s participation in the changing world of work.Discussions on social security will examine the international portability of benefits for migrant and cross-border workers. The technology track will consider governance frameworks for the responsible and ethical adoption of AI at workplaces.Delegates will also discuss reskilling workers through partnerships among governments, employers and trade unions, besides measures to close gender gaps, ensure equal wages and increase women’s participation in emerging industries.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos₹198 Crore, 8 Criminal Cases: What Prashant Kishor’s Bankipur Bypoll Affidavit RevealsIron Rods Hurled, Car Windows Smashed As Family Chased For 15 Km After Harassment RowViral Video Claims Pensioner’s Bank Account Showed Rs 759 Crore, Raises Questions Over GlitchAssam Pushback Policy: Govt Reveals First Official Data On Repatriation To BangladeshJ&K Court Seeks Records In Rs 550 Crore Alleged Fake Silver Offerings Case At Vaishno Devi ShrineIndia Summons Iran’s Deputy Ambassador After Hormuz Tanker Strike Kills Indian Crew MemberPahalgam Attack: Jammu Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Hafiz Saeed | WatchOne Indian Crew Member Killed As Iranian Missiles Strike UAE Tankers In Strait Of Hormuz’I’ll Commit Suicide’: Former CEC SY Quraishi Recalls PM Manmohan Singh’s Emotional CallIndia Launches UNSC 2028-29 Bid, Unveils SHANTI Vision For Global Leadership And Reform | Watch123PhotostoriesAvoiding sweets but blood sugar still rising? These overlooked daily habits could be the real reason, says doctor“Children need more than just parents to grow”: Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding schoolHPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancer cases: What every parent and young woman should know before decidingChef Sanjeev Kapoor urges revival of Kerala’s heritage cuisine, shares 5 timeless forgotten dishes worth tryingStop saying ‘We Can’t Afford It’ to your kids: Psychology says these 3 simple phrases work much betterEurope has seen 46°C and beyond: 9 countries that have recorded astonishing heat extremesFrom a private lift, massive indoor swimming pool to a home theatre: Inside Abhishek Malhan’s lavish abodeThese 5 Indian breakfast foods could be the secret to long and healthy locksWimbledon 2026’s richest accessory trend: Luxury celebrity watches that cost more than supercars6 relationship trends that could shape love and dating in 2026–2027: What the Rahu, Ketu & Uranus transits reveal123Hot PicksNEET recorded responseRSCIT admit cardGold rate todayITR filingOil Price TodaySonam Wangchuk hunger strikeS. JaishankarWayanad LandslideStrait of HormuTop TrendingKarnataka Black MagicVietnam Boat TragedyITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Tamil Nadu Steel Melting UnitGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi Police Wife MurderSharad PawarJharkhand RapeIran war Amitabh Bachchan has invested Rs 90-100 crore in Ayodhya, Ranbir Kapoor bought plot worth Rs 3.3 crore: Here’s why the Ram Mandir town is emerging as a real estate hotspot Beyond the border: How India is building the firepower to strike targets 1,000km away Mindaugas Sinkevicius becomes Lithuania PM after parliament approves manifesto 13 Indians killed, 3 missing in Gulf since February 28 amid US-Iran war | India News Akshaye Khanna makes FIRST appearance after ‘Dhurandhar’ success, the actor steals the show in Anshula Kapoor’s wedding PICS shared by Boney Kapoor, delighted netizens call him Rehman Dakait | Hindi Movie News Kajol on why she sent her daughter to a boarding school Quote of the day by famous psychiatrist Carl Jung: “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to…” – a timeless insight explains why the people who frustrate us often become our greatest teachers ‘SUV had engine problem’: Uttarakhand vlogger Sourav Joshi backtracks on E20 petrol mileage claim after Mercedes-Benz response Argentina lost jaguars from its Iberá wetlands nearly 70 years ago, but conservationists have now brought the country’s largest wild cat back through an ambitious rewilding project | World News Evening news wrap: MEA condemns Iran’s attacks on vessels carrying Indian seafarers; SC orders separate namaz space near MP’s Bhojshala | India News Railways tightens norms for project contractors; unveils covered fly ash transport and rolls out unified licence ‘The Vampire Diaries’ star Paul Wesley marries Natalie Kuckenburg in intimate ceremony: ‘Mr. and Mrs. and the Best Boy Greg’ | Psychology says these 3 simple phrases work much better NASA’s New Horizons travelled 3 billion miles over 9 years to reach Pluto – but it was moving too fast to stop when it arrived NHL Trade Rumors: Maple Leafs urged to acquire $92.8 million superstar forward in blockbuster deal to boost Stanley Cup hopes 2,000 years after Pompeii vanished beneath volcanic ash in one of history’s deadliest volcanic disasters, the ancient Roman street is blooming with flowers, offering a symbol of nature’s renewal | World News