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No deadline for Electric Mobility, No ban on petrol and diesel-fuelled vehicles: Gadkari

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Nitin Gadkari

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway of India, Nitin Gadkari on Friday, August 23, cleared the air that there will be no ban on petrol and diesel vehicles in the country. He further added that the government has not set any deadline for automakers to switch to electric vehicles.  

“As a transport minister I have clarified many times there was some proposal by Niti Aayog but I am the transport minister and Niti Aayog is not the authority on this. I have always said that there is no time limit for converting to electric vehicles and we are not against petrol and diesel vehicles. But at the same time, we are encouraging electric vehicles. Electric public transport is our priority. We are encouraging public transport on alternative fuel and electric but we are not going to ban anything on petrol and diesel as we understand the importance of the industry. Let the market decide what to do,” Gadkari said at the annual Mindmine Summit 2019 held in New Delhi on Friday (August 23).

Also Read: Show Cause notice served to IAS officer who quit over Kashmir issue

The government think tank, Niti Aayog on June 21 Niti Aayog had proposed to ban sales of three-wheelers using petrol or diesel by 2023 and two wheelers with petrol engines smaller than 150cc by 2025. The move was met by heavy criticism from the automobile industry, which is currently reeling under its worst slowdown in two decades.

However, Gadkari stressed on the significance of electric vehicles, he said that the industry cannot ignore the need for cleaner vehicles, particularly EVs. Gadkari also added that PM Modi was aware of the issues and some measures would be announced very soon.

VK Saraswat, one of the NITI Ayog members, also backed Gadkari statement during the summit. 

“Today everyone is talking about battery and e-mobility, Niti Aayog had also set some goals which I am very happy that the minister has said the ministry of road transport and highways will decide not Niti Aayog —I fully agree with that. There is no point in accelerating the whole process of introducing e-mobility in the system for various reasons. For e-mobility to be successful and also make sure ICE (internal combustion engine) doesn’t get affected, we should go through a transit mode where the two continue to run together,” he said. 

Both Gadkari and Saraswat stressed the need for alternative fuels including indigenously available methanol, ethanol and hydrogen fuel. 

Also Read: Bihar’s IITian joined Railway department as Trackman in Dhanbad

“We need to give priority to alternative fuel that is economically sustainable and viable. We must reduce our dependence on imports of crude oil,” Gadkari said. 

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday also announced BS-IV vehicles purchased till 2020 will remain operational for the entire period of registration.

“The clear message by the finance minister that BS-IV vehicles that are purchased till March 31, 2020 will all remain operational for their entire period of registration has cleared the air on this subject and consumers will no longer hesitate to purchase BS-IV vehicles,” Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers president Rajan Wadhera said.

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India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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