VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Who is Raúl Castro? US indicts former Cuban president over fatal 1996 civilian plane shooting Pompeii’s 2,000-year-old mystery jars finally revealed by 3D scans: How Romans built them, and why their function remains a mystery | World News . SRINAGAR/JAMMU: The Omar Abdullah govt Wednesday constituted a two-member committee to investigate the demolitions carried out in Jammu’s Sidhra area a day earlier to free forest land of alleged encroachments.According to an order issued by the tribal affairs department, the committee will examine if there was any violation of Forest Rights Act-2006 in the demolition of houses of tribal Gujjar families in Raika Bandi (Sidhra) belt of the Mahamaya forest area on Jammu’s outskirts. The inquiry panel has been asked to submit its report within seven days.The order was issued after widespread criticism and protests over the anti-encroachment drive, carried out jointly by teams of forest and revenue departments under police protection, with political parties in Kashmir and the Gujjar-Bakarwal community alleging violation of tribal rights.The exercise has once again put the NC govt at loggerheads with the LG administration. J&K’s forest and tribal affairs minister Javed Ahmad Rana, who visited the area after the drive on Tuesday, said he was “deeply shocked and outraged by the clandestine, unilateral demolition of homes in Sidhra”.“Decades of heritage of our innocent Gujjar-Bakarwal families has been reduced to rubble without taking the elected, popular govt or my ministry into confidence. This is not a mere regulatory drive; it is a targeted, cruel eviction explicitly aimed at terrorising and marginalising our nomadic tribal communities who have protected these lands for over half a century,” Rana said in a post on X. “We will not stand by as silent spectators to this selective harassment and high-handedness… Our people deserve justice, not displacement,” he added.BJP supported the drive, saying state and forest land was being illegally occupied by encroachers, while Peoples Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone dismissed the inquiry as “mere eyewash.”Officials Tuesday said 20-30 structures, mostly kachcha constructions, were razed during the exercise that went on for three-four hours amid resistance from the alleged encroachers. Nearly 60 kanals (7.5 acres) of land were retrieved during the operation, they said.The evicted families staged a protest and alleged that no prior notice was served before razing the houses.On May 13, hundreds of protesters led by BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa — carrying placards that read ‘save Jammu forests’ and ‘stop grabbing Jammu lands’ — took out a rally on Sidhra road and later staged a sit-in demanding immediate removal of illegal occupants. The protesters raised slogans against “outsider land-grabbers”, and warned of a major agitation if immediate action was not taken to stop encroachment of govt lands.The Omar govt had earlier acknowledged that vast tracts of land had been encroached across Jammu and Kashmir. In reply to a question by BJP MLA Shakti Raj Parihar during the assembly session in March, govt had informed that over 17,22,995 kanals of state land and over 3,77,000 kanals of forest land remained under illegal occupation across the UT.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Won’t Tolerate Any Form Of Nuclear Blackmail’: Rajnath Singh In South KoreaWho Is Ryan Williams? 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Here Are Some Astrological RemediesSaffron milk skin benefits: Why the internet is obsessed with this beauty drink123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledMHT CET Result 2026Top TrendingCBSE Answer SheetTwisha SharmaIPL Playoff RaceTN Results 2026Odisha 12th ResultsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementMHT CET Result DateJahangir Khan May 20, 2026, 23:24 IST Russian warplanes ‘repeatedly’ intercepted RAF spy plane over Black Sea From strategic partnership upgrade to defence roadmap: Key outcomes of PM Modi–Meloni meeting in Rome | India News Adnan Sami reacts to trolling over meeting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat: ‘I don’t give a s**t what anybody thinks’ | Two superpowers, one host: How Xi handled Trump and Putin differently NIA arrests Kolkata man in Pakistan-linked espionage and terror case | India News Japanese Relationship Concept: Renri no Eda: The Japanese concept that changes how we think about relationships IPL 2026 | Deepak Chahar mocks viral ‘chit celebration’ with hilarious no-chit act during KKR vs MI match – WATCH | Cricket News Israeli parliament votes to advance bill to dissolve Knesset, paving way for early elections Mayawati (File photo/PTI) NEW DELHI: Several Dalit leaders of the Congress attempted to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati at her Lucknow residence on Wednesday, prompting the grand old party to issue show-cause notices to them seeking an explanation for their “unauthorised” act.The leaders were turned away at the gate as they had not sought an appointment to meet the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister, who belongs to the Dalit community.Congress Scheduled Caste Department national chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam and the department’s Uttar Pradesh president and MP Tanuj Punia, who were among those who went to Mayawati’s residence, described the visit as an “impromptu courtesy visit” with “no political overtones.”Congress’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge Avinash Pande told PTI that the party had taken note of the visit.“This was not an authorised delegation from the party. We have taken cognisance of the matter and issued show-cause notices. While we hold her in high esteem, those who attempted to meet her did so in their personal capacity,” Pande said.Meanwhile, state Congress president Ajay Rai maintained that the party had not given any permission for any such meeting.“Such programmes are pre-decided and cleared by top leadership well in advance,” Rai stated.’Not true’: Cong MP Punia denies reports Dalit leaders wanted to convey Rahul Gandhi’s messagePunia denied reports claiming that the Dalit leaders had approached Mayawati to convey a message from Rahul Gandhi.“That’s not correct…A meeting of the party’s SC wing under Rajendra Pal Ji was held in Lucknow on Tuesday evening. Since our party office is close to the BSP chief’s residence, after the meeting, as we drove past Mayawati Ji’s residence, we thought of making an impromptu courtesy call on her, more so as she also hails from the same community as ours and is a senior leader,” Punia told PTI.BSP spokesperson Vishwanath Pal said he had no knowledge of the visit. “I don’t know who went to see Behen Ji. I am not aware of any such visit,” he said, referring to Mayawati.Unmindful of the controversy, Gautam maintained that the visit was “well intentioned” and that it had no political overtones, adding that it was meant to check on the BSP leader’s health.“It could be a juicy gossip for the media, but as for me, I have known Mayawati’s relatives for long. Her brother is well known to me and we frequently meet. That is why, after our Lucknow meeting, as we passed through her residence, we decided to check if she was available for the meeting,” Gautam said.When asked whether a formal appointment should have been taken, he replied it was not considered necessary since he was familiar with her family.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 MediaVideosCongress To Join Tamil Nadu Cabinet After 59 Years As Vijay Expands TVK GovernmentIndia, Italy Elevate Ties; PM Modi’s ‘Melody’ Gift To Meloni Goes Viral | Headlines@9Parle Industries Shares Jump 5% After Modi-Meloni’s ‘Melody’ Moment, But There’s A CatchItaly PM Giorgia Meloni Speaks Hindi During Joint Presser With PM Modi | Viral ‘Melodi’ Moment’Anarchic Mindset’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For ‘Traitors’ Remark On PM Modi, Amit Shah’Warned India of Economic Storm, Then Flew to Italy on ₹4,000 Crore Jet’: Rahul Gandhi Slams PM ModiIndia Successfully Tests Suryastra Precision Rocket System With 300-Km Strike CapabilityThree Newly Married Women Die Within Five Days Across MP And UP, Families Allege Dowry Harassment’Economic Storm Raging, PM Busy Handing Out Candies’: Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Over ‘Melody’ VideoPM Modi & President Trump To Cross Paths At G7 Summit In France Amid India-US Trade Push123Photostories8 strange and uncomfortable signs you are going through a quiet spiritual awakening8 giraffe facts that shock even wildlife loversGauranga Das shares 3 signs of a loyal partner10 exercises that can keep the heart healthyFeeling Stressed? 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Failed 3 H1-B attempts: Indian professional in US says ‘visa anxiety is a permanent subscription’, plans return to be with family No Ebola cases reported in India yet; government ramps up surveillance after WHO alert | India News IPL 2026 | After 14 years, Mumbai Indians’ Tilak Varma scripts rare ‘unwanted’ IPL record | Cricket News Bajaj General Insurance rolls out riders to lock premiums, expand health cover scope Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Maddox, 4 of Brad Pitt’s 6 kids dropped his surname | Rashee Rice had an unexpected and concerning health battle just days before going to jail in Dallas as Chiefs remain silent NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday was conferred the FAO Agricola Medal, the highest honour of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, in recognition of his contribution to food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development.The award was presented at the FAO headquarters in Rome by Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu during a ceremony in the historic Plenary Hall. PM Modi, who is on the final leg of his five-nation tour, arrived in Italy on Tuesday night. Describing the recognition as a collective honour, he said it belonged to those engaged in India’s farm sector.“This is an honour to India’s millions of farmers, livestock rearers, fish farmers, agricultural scientists, and workers. This is also an honour to India’s unwavering commitment, at the centre of which lies human welfare, food security, and Sustainable Development,” he said.The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s broader agricultural approach, stressing the balance between productivity and sustainability. He said the country was shifting focus towards “Producing Better” rather than only “Producing More”, with emphasis on biodiversity and reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers.Highlighting the role of innovation, PM Modi said modern tools such as AI-based advisory systems, drones, remote sensing and digital public infrastructure were transforming farming practices and improving incomes. He also noted that India has developed around 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties in the past decade.He reiterated that food security is not merely a policy objective but a responsibility towards humanity, adding that India’s experience shows scale and sustainability can go together when technology and inclusion are combined.The FAO Agricola Medal is among the organisation’s most prestigious honours, awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to global food security, nutrition and agricultural development.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 MediaVideosCongress To Join Tamil Nadu Cabinet After 59 Years As Vijay Expands TVK GovernmentIndia, Italy Elevate Ties; PM Modi’s ‘Melody’ Gift To Meloni Goes Viral | Headlines@9Parle Industries Shares Jump 5% After Modi-Meloni’s ‘Melody’ Moment, But There’s A CatchItaly PM Giorgia Meloni Speaks Hindi During Joint Presser With PM Modi | Viral ‘Melodi’ Moment’Anarchic Mindset’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For ‘Traitors’ Remark On PM Modi, Amit Shah’Warned India of Economic Storm, Then Flew to Italy on ₹4,000 Crore Jet’: Rahul Gandhi Slams PM ModiIndia Successfully Tests Suryastra Precision Rocket System With 300-Km Strike CapabilityThree Newly Married Women Die Within Five Days Across MP And UP, Families Allege Dowry Harassment’Economic Storm Raging, PM Busy Handing Out Candies’: Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Over ‘Melody’ VideoPM Modi & President Trump To Cross Paths At G7 Summit In France Amid India-US Trade Push123Photostories8 strange and uncomfortable signs you are going through a quiet spiritual awakening8 giraffe facts that shock even wildlife loversGauranga Das shares 3 signs of a loyal partner10 exercises that can keep the heart healthyFeeling Stressed? 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The measures span welfare restructuring, recruitment reforms, reservation policy changes, scrutiny of caste certificates, educational directives and anti-corruption action. The government has simultaneously attempted to strengthen nationalist symbolism in institutions while tightening administrative oversight in welfare delivery and reservation systems. Many of the moves carry both political and legal significance, especially those linked to OBC reservation, caste certificate verification and investigations into alleged corruption under their predecessor.‘Chicken’s Neck’ corridor transferred to Centre The West Bengal government approved the transfer of seven key national highways in the Siliguri Corridor, popularly known as the ‘Chicken’s Neck’, to central agencies, a move aimed at strengthening connectivity and facilitating faster movement of armed forces through the strategically sensitive stretch linking the Northeast to mainland India.Ayushman Bharat to be implementedThe newly formed BJP government in West Bengal announced the implementation of the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme during its first cabinet meeting on May 11. Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible families receive annual health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for secondary and tertiary healthcare treatment at empanelled hospitals.West Bengal had previously stayed out of the centrally sponsored scheme under the Trinamool Congress government, which instead operated the Swasthya Sathi programme. The decision marks a significant policy shift by aligning the state with one of the Union government’s flagship welfare schemes. Along with Ayushman Bharat, the cabinet also discussed implementation of other central schemes and administrative measures, including border fencing-related land transfer to the BSF and recruitment reforms.Annapurna Yojna replaces Lakshmir BhandarThe West Bengal government notified the Annapurna Yojna on Wednesday, replacing the flagship Lakshmir Bhandar scheme introduced under the previous TMC government. Under the new programme, eligible women aged between 25 and 60 years will receive a monthly assistance of Rs 3,000 through Direct Benefit Transfer into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The scheme excludes permanent government employees, pensioners and income tax payers. Existing Lakshmir Bhandar beneficiaries will automatically migrate to the new scheme, though names identified as dead, shifted, duplicate or deleted during voter verification exercises will be removed. The government has also linked the scheme to electoral verification processes, making it politically significant. An online portal for fresh applications is scheduled to open from June 1, with district magistrates and Kolkata civic authorities designated as sanctioning bodies for applicants.Vande Mataram made mandatory in schoolsThe School Education Department directed all state-run and state-aided schools to mandatorily sing Vande Mataram during morning assemblies through a communication issued on May 13 and implemented from May 18 onward. School authorities were instructed to ensure participation by all students and maintain video documentation as proof of compliance.The move adds the national song to the existing assembly practices where schools traditionally sang only the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and in recent years, the state song Banglar Mati Banglar Jol. The decision carries strong symbolic and ideological significance as the BJP government has framed it as an effort to strengthen patriotism and respect for national symbols. However, the move has also generated debate among sections of teachers and civil society over implementation logistics and concerns about compulsion in educational institutions.Land transfer for India-Bangladesh border fencingThe West Bengal government on May 11 initiated the process of transferring land to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for the Border Security Force to complete fencing along unfenced stretches of the India-Bangladesh border, the CM had announced earlier this month.Announcing the decision after the first cabinet meeting of the new government, CM Suvendu Adhikari said the required land would be handed over within 45 days. The move comes amid prolonged judicial scrutiny over delays in border fencing projects in the state. According to data placed before the Supreme Court by the Union government, around 435 km of the border remains unfenced, with more than 286 km pending primarily because of land acquisition issues. The Calcutta high court had also directed the state earlier this year to expedite transfer of acquired land to the BSF. OBC reservation revised for 66 communitiesThe government notified 66 communities under the Other Backwards Classes category, restoring a 7 per cent reservation framework following a Calcutta High Court order that had struck down earlier TMC-era OBC notifications. The decision, formally notified on May 19 and implemented publicly on May 20, affects government jobs and educational admissions. The revised list includes communities such as Kurmi, Kapali, Teli, Yadav and several Muslim groups including Hajjam (Muslim), Pahadia Muslim and Jolah (Ansari-Momin). The move is significant because it rolls back the previous 17 per cent reservation structure and aligns the state policy with the High Court’s directive that benefits already enjoyed by the affected groups should continue without disruption. Free bus travel for womenThe state cabinet, on on Monday approved free bus travel for women in state-run transport services. The move is being projected as a major women-centric welfare measure aimed at reducing daily commuting costs and increasing workforce participation. The scheme is expected to cover government-operated buses across urban and rural routes. It was announced as part of the government’s first major welfare package after assuming office.Upper age limit for government jobs increasedOn May 18, the Finance Department formally increased the upper age limit for recruitment to state government posts by five years, fulfilling one of the BJP’s major promises to job aspirants. Under the revised rules, the upper age limit is now 41 years for Group A posts, 44 years for Group B posts and 45 years for Group C and D posts. For recruitments through statutory bodies, government companies and local authorities, the age limit has been uniformly fixed at 45 years. Existing relaxations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs and differently-abled candidates will continue. The first recruitment process expected to benefit from the decision is the ongoing Assistant Professor recruitment in government-aided colleges, for which the application deadline will also be extended. The move is aimed at expanding employment opportunities for candidates who had previously crossed the age threshold during years of delayed recruitment and stalled examinations in the state.Free bus travel for womenThe West Bengal cabinet approved free bus travel for women in state-run transport services on Monday as part of a set of early welfare measures announced after the new government assumed office. The scheme will apply to government-operated buses across urban and rural routes in the state. According to officials, the initiative is aimed at easing commuting costs for women who rely on public transport for work, education and daily travel. The decision is expected to impact a large section of regular commuters, particularly in Kolkata and district towns where state transport services form a major part of public mobility. The announcement came alongside other welfare measures, including the rollout of the Annapurna Yojna. Detailed operational guidelines and implementation modalities for the transport scheme are expected to be issued by the Transport Department separately.Prosecution sanctioned against Sandip GhoshThe West Bengal government sanctioned the prosecution of former R G Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh on May 19 in connection with alleged financial irregularities linked to procurement and administrative practices during his tenure. The sanction was granted under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act after examination of FIRs and investigation records. The case gained national prominence following the rape and murder of a doctor at the hospital in 2024, which subsequently triggered wider investigations into alleged corruption within the institution. The CBI and Enforcement Directorate are probing the matter after the Calcutta High Court ordered an inquiry.Re-verification of caste certificates issued since 2011The West Bengal government ordered a state-wide re-verification of all caste certificates issued since 2011, with the Backward Classes Welfare Department issuing directions to district magistrates on May 15. The exercise covers nearly 1.69 crore Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and OBC certificates, including those distributed through Duare Sarkar camps during the previous TMC regime. The government has alleged large-scale irregularities and fraudulent issuance of certificates over the past 15 years, with ministers claiming that fake beneficiaries availed reservation and welfare benefits illegally. Officials have been instructed to scrutinise certificates and cancel those found to have been issued through false information or procedural violations.Scrapping religion-based aid schemesThe new government had also announced that several religion-specific welfare and grant schemes introduced during the TMC regime would be discontinued. Though details are still emerging, BJP leaders said the move was aimed at ending what they described as “appeasement politics” and shifting towards religion-neutral welfare delivery. The decision is politically significant because it directly targets one of the BJP’s central campaign themes in Bengal.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 MediaVideosItaly PM Giorgia Meloni Speaks Hindi During Joint Presser With PM Modi | Viral ‘Melodi’ Moment’Anarchic Mindset’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For ‘Traitors’ Remark On PM Modi, Amit Shah’Warned India of Economic Storm, Then Flew to Italy on ₹4,000 Crore Jet’: Rahul Gandhi Slams PM ModiIndia Successfully Tests Suryastra Precision Rocket System With 300-Km Strike CapabilityThree Newly Married Women Die Within Five Days Across MP And UP, Families Allege Dowry Harassment’Economic Storm Raging, PM Busy Handing Out Candies’: Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Over ‘Melody’ VideoPM Modi & President Trump To Cross Paths At G7 Summit In France Amid India-US Trade PushPakistani Lashkar Operative’s Hair Transplant Detour In Kashmir Exposes Sleeper Cell NetworkPakistani Military Officer Mocked Online After Claiming Strikes On Indian Airbases That Don’t ExistTwisha Sharma Case Triggers Debate After Mother-In-Law Criticises Her Even After Death123PhotostoriesFeeling Stressed? 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