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LIVE news updates: Sanjeev Arora sworn in as Cabinet minister in Punjab

LIVE news updates: Sanjeev Arora sworn in as Cabinet minister in Punjab

Business Standard16 hours ago
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for National Highway projects worth ₹6,350 crore in Jharkhand on Thursday, officials confirmed. The Road Transport and Highways Minister will oversee the launch of 11 highway initiatives—nine from Ranchi and two from Garhwa. Key projects include a ₹560 crore elevated corridor in Ranchi and two developments in Garhwa totalling ₹2,460 crore. Gadkari will also inaugurate the 4.18-km 'Ratu Road flyover', connecting Raj Bhavan to OTC Ground in Ranchi. In Garhwa, he will open a 23-km four-lane highway from Shankha to Khajoori, constructed at a cost of ₹1,130 crore.
Separately, representatives from several INDIA bloc parties met with the Election Commission to voice their objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. They criticised the timing of the revision, warning that it could lead to the disenfranchisement of over two crore voters ahead of the state assembly elections. The Congress alleged that after the economic blow of demonetisation, this 'Vote-bandi' could threaten the foundations of democracy.
Eleven parties—including the Congress, RJD, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, NCP-SP, and the Samajwadi Party—raised their concerns directly with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Ghana's national honour, 'The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana', in recognition of his 'distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership'. He received the honour on Wednesday from President John Dramani Mahama. 'Honoured to be conferred with 'The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana','PM Modi stated on X.
1:36 PM
Next Dalai Lama to be decided by established institution and no one else: Kiren Rijiju
In an apparent snub to China, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday asserted that the decision on the Incarnation of the Dalai Lama would be taken by the established institution and the Dalai Lama himself and no one else. On Wednesday, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the authority to recognise his future reincarnation. Rijiju said the Dalai Lama is the "most important and defining institution" for the Buddhists.
1:24 PM
'Delhi at its tipping point': Ex Delhi chief secretary warns CM Gupta
Former Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra on Thursday urged Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to show political courage and abandon decades of 'appeasement politics' in favour of long-term urban planning. In an open letter in The Indian Express, Chandra, who also served as secretary in the Union Health Ministry, congratulated Gupta on assuming charge of what she referred to as "India's most demanding urban assignment".
1:10 PM
AAP leader Sisodia slams BJP over fuel ban on overage vehicles
Senior AAP leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday accused the BJP-led Delhi government of waging another "assault on the middle class" through its recent order banning refuelling of overage vehicles in the capital. Sisodia's statement comes amid the BJP government defending the move and calling it a necessary step in its ongoing pollution control efforts.
10:40 AM
Centre continuing negative stand towards Kerala: CM Vijayan
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has claimed that the BJP-led central government's negative stand is continuing as it rejected the state's demand for additional rice allocation for the Onam festival season. The CM, in a Facebook post, has called for a united protest by all political parties against the alleged anti-Kerala stand of the central government.
10:19 AM
News update: Rain likely in city; air quality satisfactory
Delhi on Thursday recorded a minimum temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius, with the weather department predicting rain along with thunderstorm. The relative humidity was 79 per cent at 8.30 am and the maximum temperature is expected to settle at 36 degrees Celsius.
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‘Spare The Sangh From Political Rhetoric': RSS Hits Back At Congress
‘Spare The Sangh From Political Rhetoric': RSS Hits Back At Congress

News18

time34 minutes ago

  • News18

‘Spare The Sangh From Political Rhetoric': RSS Hits Back At Congress

Last Updated: RSS's Sunil Ambekar reiterated that the Sangh's identity has always been of a social and cultural organisation, and it has always focused on 'nation-building' Reacting to the repeated attacks by the Congress—the latest coming from Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge —the RSS said the political parties should 'spare" the Sangh, as it has no interest in engaging with politically driven narratives. 'Spare the Sangh from such political conversations. We are a social organisation committed to constructive work, not political rhetoric. We do our work organically," said Sunil Ambekar, the RSS's Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, asserting that an organisation like the Sangh should not be dragged into political controversies. He further reiterated that the Sangh's identity has always been of a social and cultural organisation, and it has always focused on 'nation-building". 'The RSS does not function like a political party and remains committed to its grassroots social work. People support the Sangh's work, and they get associated. Political parties should stop unnecessarily involving the Sangh in their discourse," he added. Centenary preparations A three-day Akhil Bharatiya Prant Pracharak Baithak of the RSS will be held from July 4-6 at Keshav Kunj in Delhi, with a key focus on preparations for the Shatabdi Varsh (Centenary Year) in 2025-26, Ambekar said, addressing the media. While not a decision-making forum, the meeting will review the progress of organisational work across prants (zones) and discuss the functioning of various karya vibhag (sections and zones). Issues related to Operation Sindoor, atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, and other geopolitical, social, and border issues, including religious conversion and Khalistani issues in Punjab, will be discussed in the meeting. Two prant pracharaks (in-charges) from Jammu and Kashmir will also join the meeting. Around 46 prant pracharaks from across states and 233 karyakartas will attend the meeting. Responding to a question on the caste census, Ambekar reiterated the Sangh's old stand that it sees no problem with the government collecting data if it is for public welfare. Regarding the recent concerns over the Kanwar Yatra and potential law-and-order issues, Ambekar said, 'Religious events like the Kanwar Yatra happen smoothly every year. Administrative coordination is routine. We also engage with members of the society to ensure peace and harmony." 'Outreach' as the key He further confirmed that extensive preparations are underway for the 100-year anniversary of the RSS, with all states and zones having submitted proposals. The centenary year will officially begin with a grand programme in Nagpur on Vijay Dashami, October 2. Regional and zonal programmes will follow along with 'Hindu Sammelan" across states. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will also undertake a pravas (outreach tour) of four major cities—Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kolkata—as part of the centenary outreach. Special initiatives include Grih Sampark Abhiyan (door-to-door contact), Samajik Sadbhav Baithaks (social harmony meetings), and Pramukh Nagrik Goshthis (citizen dialogues) on Hindutva and national vision. Youth engagement will be central, as over 28,571 people registered through the 'Join RSS" portal between April and June. Ambekar also outlined the Panch Parivartan vision for societal transformation—spanning social harmony, environmental consciousness, cultural pride, family bonding, and civic responsibility—which RSS volunteers will promote in collaboration with wider society. About the Author Madhuparna Das First Published: July 04, 2025, 05:12 IST

Gadkari launches road projects worth 4.6k crore in state
Gadkari launches road projects worth 4.6k crore in state

Time of India

time35 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Gadkari launches road projects worth 4.6k crore in state

1 2 3 Ranchi/Garhwa: Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari laid foundation stones of three road projects worth Rs 1,700 crore and inaugurated seven road projects worth Rs 4,650 crore in the state on Thursday at two separate programmes held in Ranchi and Garhwa. Stating that the Centre is already working on projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore in Jharkhand, Gadkari said plans are afoot for additional projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the state. In Garhwa, Gadkari laid the foundation stone for Rs 1,330 crore four-lane project measuring 32 km from Chattisgarh-Jharkhand border to Gumla on NH-43. That apart, he inaugurated the Rs 1,130 crore four-lane Garhwa bypass road measuring 22.73 km on NH-75 under the Ranchi-Varanasi economic corridor. With the construction of the by-pass road from to Khajuri village (Garhwa district), the residents heaved a sigh of relief. The by-pass from Shankha village (Palamu district) to Khajuri village (Garhwa district) links about two dozen villages in Palamu and Garhwa. He also sanctioned Garhwa-Ambikapur four-lane road and few other projects worth around Rs 2,460 crore in Garhwa district. In Ranchi, too, he gave his approval to outer ring road project and widening of Ranchi-Muri Road. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo by Taboola by Taboola Gadkari said national highway projects worth Rs 40,000 crore have already been completed in the state while projects worth Rs 70,000 crore are in various stages of implementation. "More projects worth Rs 75,000 crore are in the offing, under various stages," he said. Setting timelines for a few ongoing projects, he said that the Rs 36,000-crore Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata corridor will be over by March 2028. A six lane between Delhi-Kolkata estimated around Rs 31,700-crore will be completed by June 2026 and Ranchi-Patna four-lane economic corridor worth Rs 8,900 crore is eyeing December 2029 deadline. State finance minister Radhakrishana Kishore, who was present in Garhwa, cited how Garhwa and Palamu have stopped receiving security related expenditure (SRE) scheme owing to Naxal menace but has now stopped getting it. "Centre says that Naxal menace is now over in Garhwa and Palamu but I personally believe that it is contained only because of 196 police pickets. Remove those pickets, and you will realise how troublesome law and order is here again. Hence, we must continue to get those funds to address the challenges in this region," he said, adding that these regions are rain shadow area and needs special assistance to stop migration and further development projects. Gadkari advised the minister to get an official order passed from the govt and he will help in building over 1,000 ponds through NHAI free of cost like he did in Vidharbha (Maharashtra) to tide over water crisis in farm dominated areas.

Centre's pick & choose policy hits HC judge appointments
Centre's pick & choose policy hits HC judge appointments

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Centre's pick & choose policy hits HC judge appointments

Representative image NEW DELHI: Advocate Ramaswamy Neelakandan prepared for life as a high court judge by returning case files to clients after the CJI-led Supreme Court collegium on Jan 17, 2023, recommended to Union govt to appoint him, along with four other advocates, including L C Victoria Gowri, as judges of Madras high court. The Union govt appointed all of them as judges, except Neelakandan. Though names of the five advocates were sent by the SC collegium on the same day, the govt appointed them in batches - three on Feb 7, 2023, and the fourth on Feb 27, 2023. Neelakandan, who belongs to the OBC community, shares his fate with 28 other advocates, whose names were recommended to the govt by the collegium between Jan 2023 and April this year. The Centre's pick and choose policy has left them in suspense - whether to resume practice or keep waiting for the Centre's nod to become an HC judge. While Neelakandan's wait has stretched beyond 29 months, advocate Subhash Upadhyay, whose name was recommended by collegium on April 12, 2023, for judgeship in Uttarakhand HC, is waiting for his warrant of appointment for the last 26 months. Along with Upadhyay, the collegium had recommended names of three advocates and a judicial officer for appointment as judges of the HC. Only Upadhyay's name was left out. Like him, advocate Arun Kumar is awaiting action on collegium's May 9, 2023, recommendation for his appointment as Allahabad HC judge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Birla Evara 3 and 4 BHK from ₹ 1.75 Crore* Birla Estates Learn More Undo On Oct 17, 2023, the collegium recommended the names of five advocates for appointment as judges of Madhya Pradesh HC. Among them, only advocate Amit Seth is still awaiting appointment. Of the 29 advocates still awaiting appointment as HC judges, five are women advocates. Among them, the one enduring the longest wait is advocate Shamima Jahan, whose name was recommended by the collegium on Jan 4, 2024, for appointment as a judge of Gauhati HC. Other women advocates sharing Jahan's fate are Sreeja Vijayalakshmi (name recommended on April 16, 2024), Tajal Vashi (Oct 15, 2024; Gujarat HC), Shwetasree Majumder (Aug 21, 2024; Delhi HC), and Sheetal Mirdha (March 5, 2025; Rajasthan HC). Despite successive chief justices, including the incumbent CJI B R Gavai, impressing upon the Union govt not to pick and choose from the list and avoid making staggered appointments from the same batch, the govt has not abandoned the practice which creates seniority issues in constitutional courts where merit and seniority are two crucial factors for career advancement. Interestingly, the collegium's recommendations for appointment of judges to Supreme Court have been speedily processed and implemented by the govt, in some cases the appointments have come through within three days of the recommendation. The collegium recommended to the govt on May 26 to appoint Justices N V Anjaria, Vijay Bishnoi and A S Chandurkar as judges of the SC. The three took oath as Supreme Court judges on May 30. On May 26, the collegium recommended appointments of chief justices to five HCs, transfers of four HC CJs and transfer and repatriation of 22 HC judges. More than a month later, govt is yet to give effect to the appointments and transfers of HC CJs and judges.

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