India Archives - Page 315 of 375

06 Jul

Public Outcry Forces Delhi Government to Put Brakes on Scrapping Old Vehicles

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, TrendingDelhi

New Delhi (National Times): In a major U-turn driven by widespread public backlash, the Delhi government has paused its controversial order to restrict fuel supply to "end-of-life" vehicles—petrol vehicles older than 15 years and diesel vehicles older than 10. Announcing the rollback, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa admitted that the implementation of the policy faced "technological hurdles and complex enforcement challenges." He said the government is now considering a targeted crackdown on visibly polluting and poorly maintained vehicles, rather than penalizing those who maintain their older cars and bikes in good condition. What Triggered the Controversy?The decision comes just a…

05 Jul

Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray Reunite After Two Decades, Critique Hindi Language Push in Maharashtra

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, PoliticsDevendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra politics, Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai, July 5 — In a significant moment for Maharashtra politics, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray shared the stage and a warm embrace at a joint rally in Mumbai, marking their first public appearance together in 20 years.Speaking at the Worli Dome rally, Raj Thackeray took a veiled swipe at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, crediting him with achieving what even the late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray could not: reuniting the estranged Thackeray cousins.“I had said in one of my interviews that my Maharashtra is bigger than any politics and fight.…

05 Jul

India-Pakistan Trade Endures Through Third-Party Channels Despite Conflict

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, World NewsConflicts, India-Pakistan, Trade

Islamabad, July 5 – Despite heightened tensions and a brief military standoff in May, trade between India and Pakistan quietly continued largely through third countries underscoring the resilience of economic links even amidst political hostility.According to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data cited by Dawn, imports from India reached a three-year high of USD 211.5 million during the first 11 months of fiscal year 2025, outpacing USD 207 million in FY24 and USD 190 million in FY23.In May alone during which a four-day cross-border conflict unfolded Pakistan imported goods worth USD 15 million from India, only a slight dip from…

05 Jul

India Becomes World’s 4th Most Equal Society, Says World Bank

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiafinancial inclusion, Gini Index, income equality, India, poverty reduction, World Bank

New Delhi, July 5 — India has emerged as the fourth most equal society in the world, achieving a Gini Index of 25.5, according to the latest data released by the World Bank. The nation now ranks just behind the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and Belarus in income equality, outpacing major economies including China, the United States, and all G7 and G20 nations.“It reflects how India’s economic progress is being shared more evenly across its population,” stated a release from the Ministry of Social Welfare. “Behind this success is a consistent policy focus on reducing poverty, expanding financial access, and delivering…

05 Jul

Nehal Modi Arrested in US, Extradition to India Underway in Rs 13,000 Crore PNB Scam Case

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsBusiness, India, TrendingNehal Modi

New Delhi/Washington (National Times): In a major development in the ongoing probe into the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, Nehal Modi, brother of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, has been arrested in the United States following an extradition request by Indian authorities. The arrest, confirmed by officials from India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was carried out after U.S. law enforcement authorities accepted India’s formal request seeking his custody in connection with money laundering and conspiracy charges. Nehal Modi has long been accused of playing a key role in helping Nirav Modi escape India…

04 Jul

PIL in Bombay High Court Accuses Prada of Copying Kolhapuri Chappals, Seeks Compensation for Indian Artisans

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaBombay High Court, Geographical Indication, Kolhapuri chappals, PIL, Prada

Mumbai, July 4 — Italian luxury fashion house Prada has come under legal fire in India, with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay High Court alleging the unauthorised use of the traditional Kolhapuri chappal design in its high-end footwear collection.The PIL, filed by six Pune-based lawyers, contends that Prada’s recently launched ‘toe-ring sandals,’ showcased in the brand’s spring/summer collection and priced at around ₹1 lakh a pair, closely resemble the iconic Kolhapuri chappals a symbol of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage and craftsmanship.Kolhapuri chappals are protected under India’s Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, granting exclusive rights…

04 Jul

India, US Near Interim Trade Deal as Key Hurdles Remain in Agriculture, Auto Sectors

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaagriculture tariffs, auto tariffs, India-US trade pact, interim trade deal, US-India trade negotiations

New Delhi, July 4 — India and the United States are inching closer to finalising an interim trade pact, with negotiations in their last phase and a conclusion anticipated before July 9, officials confirmed on Friday. However, critical sticking points persist in the agriculture and automotive sectors.An Indian delegation led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary in the Department of Commerce, returned to New Delhi this week after a round of talks in Washington held from June 26 to July 2. Although progress has been made, discussions are set to continue virtually or through further meetings to iron out…

04 Jul

Centre Notifies Waqf Management Rules Amid Ongoing SC Challenge to Amendment Act

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaUnified Waqf Management Rules, Waqf Amendment Act 2025, Waqf database

New Delhi, July 4 — The Centre has notified the ‘Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Rules, 2025’, even as the Supreme Court continues to deliberate on the constitutional validity of the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025. The rules, issued under Section 108B of the amended Waqf Act, aim to digitize and streamline waqf property administration across India.While the Waqf Amendment Act itself was notified on April 8, 2025, a batch of petitions challenging it remains pending before the apex court. The Supreme Court, having reserved its verdict on May 22, is expected to pronounce a judgment later this month.…

04 Jul

Fadnavis Defends Shinde’s ‘Jai Gujarat’ Remark Amid Congress Outrage in Maharashtra

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, PoliticsDevendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Jai Gujarat, Maharashtra politics

Mumbai, July 4 — Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday defended Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after the latter sparked controversy by chanting “Jai Gujarat” alongside “Jai Hind” and “Jai Maharashtra” during an event in Pune attended by Union Minister Amit Shah.“Just because Shinde said ‘Jai Gujarat’, it doesn’t mean that Shinde loves Gujarat more than Maharashtra,” Fadnavis told reporters, dismissing the criticism as narrow-minded. He recalled similar instances in the past, pointing out that former Union Minister Sharad Pawar had said “Jai Maharashtra, Jai Karnataka” during a statue unveiling in Karnataka. “Does this mean that Sharad Pawar loves…

03 Jul

Delhi Urges Hold on Fuel Ban for Overage Vehicles, Cites Tech and Enforcement Hurdles

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaair pollution, ANPR cameras, Delhi fuel ban, overage vehicles, vehicle

New Delhi, July 3: The Delhi government has formally urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to suspend the fuel ban on overage vehicles, citing significant technological and logistical challenges in its implementation. The appeal comes just days after the ban, targeting diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years, took effect on July 1 under court orders.Addressing reporters on Thursday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government stands with citizens who are distressed over the restrictions and is seeking an alternative approach. “We are trying to ensure that vehicles are not…