Govt Plans To Roll Out E-Buses In All Cities, Some Long Routes: Gadkari

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that the government has plans to introduce electric buses in all Indian cities as well as some long routes such as Delhi-Shimla, Delhi-Chandigarh and Pune-Mumbai over the next five years.

New Delhi, Mar 18: Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that the government has plans to introduce electric buses in all Indian cities as well as some long routes such as Delhi-Shimla, Delhi-Chandigarh and Pune-Mumbai over the next five years.

In an interview with NDTV Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia, the minister also said that the decline in battery prices will lead to travellers saving 30 per cent on fares and help bring down pollution.

The minister pointed out that the cost of lithium-ion batteries has come down from $150 per kilowatt per hour to $112 as the segment has recorded a 350 per cent growth in the country.

"When this comes down to $100, the operating cost will be the same as that of petrol and diesel vehicles," the union minister said. "If you spend Rs 20,000–25,000 on petrol vehicles in a month, you will incur only Rs 2,000 on electric vehicles," he added.

EV manufacturing has gained pace in the country, with output rising across segments. "There are 400 electric scooter manufacturers (in India). We have manufacturers making electric scooters with a range of 60 km," Gadkari said.

The minister’s comments come in backdrop of the Government’s approval for the scheme to promote India as a manufacturing destination of e-vehicles (EV). The policy is designed to attract investments in the e-vehicle space by reputed global EV manufacturers, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.

The policy fixes a minimum investment of Rs 4,150 crore (∼USD 500 million) for foreign companies who want to set up electric vehicle manufacturing facilities in India. The scheme which aims to attract investments from leading EV manufacturers, such as Elon Musk-led Tesla, does not fix any upper limit on the investments.

The scheme also stipulates a 3 years timeline for setting up manufacturing facilities in India, and starting commercial production of EVs. It lays down that 50 per cent domestic value addition in manufacturing must be reached within 5 years at the maximum.

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Companies setting up manufacturing facilities for EVs will be allowed limited imports of cars at lower custom duty as an incentive.

(IANS)

"Odisha Govt Deprived People Of Central Health, Housing Benefits": Nadda Slams CM Naveen Patnaik

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, May 5: BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government, saying, for political reasons, the Odisha government deprived its people of the health and housing security provided by the Central government.

After releasing BJP's manifesto for Odisha assembly elections JP Nadda said, "Schemes like PM AWAS Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Yojana, which have helped millions of people across the country, were not implemented here in Odisha. For political reasons, the state government of Odisha deprived its people of the health and housing security provided by the Central government."

He accused the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of not fulfilling their promises, low income for farmers, poor education, and increasing violence against women.

"Promises made by the BJD still remain unfulfilled. Not only do farmers lack water for irrigation, but the earnings of farmers in Odisha are the lowest in the entire country. The school and university education system in Odisha are in a dire state. Violence against women is ever-increasing in the state, and what's worse is that leaders of the BJD are involved in these crimes," he said.

"Today, the income of farmers in Odisha is the lowest, and the migration of people from here is also the highest. The condition of education is bad and Odisha ranks number one in harassment of women. Corruption and theft have become common here," he added.

He mentioned that the BJP will construct Odisha Bhawan in every metro city and provide an annual allowance of Rs 10,000 per fisherman during the lean period.

"Odisha Bhawan will be built in every metro city. In the coming 3 years, we will create 25 lakh Lakhpati Didi. For fishermen, annual lean period allowance of Rs 10,000 will be given per fisherman," he said.

"We will build 15 lakh houses under the PM Awas Yojana. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, tap water will be provided to every house in 26 lakh houses," he said.

The Assembly elections will be held in Odisha in four phases, from May 13 to June 1, along with the Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)

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Dharmendra Pradhan Holds Roadshow, Seeks Votes For Party Candidate From Rairakhol Assembly Seat

by Hemanta Pande

Sambalpur, May 5: Amidst a sea of cheering supporters, Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan participated in a roadshow of BJP's assembly candidate from Rairakhol constituency, Debendra Mohapatra, before the latter's nomination.

Pradhan along with the Debendra Mohapatra boarded an open vehicle, adorned with party banners and flags. They were surrounded by thousands of enthusiastic locals and party workers who shouted slogans like 'Abki bar, 400 par'.

Later, while speaking to ANI Pradhan said, "PM Modi will come to Odisha today for elections. He will reach Bhubaneswar in the evening. Tomorrow, he will address two gatherings...There is a mood for transformation in the state...BJP will form the govt in both Odisha and the centre."

He said, "Odisha's Sankalp Patra was launched by BJP national president JP Nadda. I express my gratitude to him. He has made a historic announcement for the farmers of Odisha...BJP is committed to making it a number-one state..."

Pradhan had said that the BJP which is fighting against Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections held simultaneously in Odisha, has appealed to the people to give the party an opportunity to serve them.

"BJP is going with an appeal to the people...PM has appealed to the people of Odisha to give us an opportunity to serve them...," Pradhan said.

Also Read: JP Nadda Releases BJP's Election Manifesto For Odisha Assembly Elections 2024

BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday released the party's manifesto for the Odisha assembly elections 2024 and vowed to end corruption of Biju Janata Dal.

" Our goal is 'from resolution to accomplishment'...we will fulfil our commitments...it (Manifesto) is not a document, it is our implementation programme for the next 5 years. The day we make government, a sub-committee is made for the manifesto and every month we monitor our manifesto...Our goal will be to end the corruption of BJD, we will have zero tolerance towards corruption," Nadda said.

Earlier on Thursday, Pradhan filed his nomination from Odisha's Sambalpur constituency. The Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state are to be held simultaneously in four phases, starting May 13.