AAP Launches Nationwide Campaign Against E20 Petrol The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced the launch of a nationwide town hall series to oppose the use of E20 petrol, beginning on August 8. The initiative, which spans multiple states, aims to engage vehicle owners and gather their feedback on the challenges posed by the 20% ethanol-blended fuel. The party plans to hold public meetings in West Bengal, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh, with additional events scheduled in Telangana on August 11 and Chhattisgarh on August 17. AAP’s state assembly member Sanjay Singh emphasized that the campaign will address public concerns about E20 fuel and raise awareness about its implications. The party’s national coordination for the campaign will be managed by Sourabh Bhardwaj, the AAP chief in Delhi. Singh highlighted that the movement began in Delhi, where a town hall attracted nearly 700,000 participants online. The initiative seeks to amplify grassroots opposition to E20, which the party argues imposes additional costs on vehicle owners and affects engine performance. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has been vocal in his criticism of the E20 policy, accusing the government of forcing its implementation. He claims the fuel mix harms vehicle efficiency and increases operational expenses for drivers. However, industry experts have countered these claims, stating that E20 has undergone extensive scientific testing and is safe for both new and older vehicles. They argue that the fuel reduces India’s reliance on imported crude oil, which is a critical economic factor. The controversy escalated when Kejriwal led a protest march to the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday, carrying over 2.3 lakh signatures demanding a halt to E20 implementation.#delhi #arvind_kejriwal #aam_aadmi_party #sanjay_singh #sourabh_bhardwaj
PM Modi's Foreign Trips Cost ₹557.51 Crore Over Five Years, Government Discloses Full Expenditure Breakdown The Indian government disclosed on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official foreign trips from 2021 to 2026 have cost the public exchequer a minimum of ₹557.51 crore. This information was provided in response to a query by Rajya Sabha members Sanjay Singh and Dr. V Shivdasan, who had sought details about the cost of Modi's trips, the number of visits, and bilateral agreements signed during these journeys. According to the response, Modi has undertaken official visits to countries across Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, and the Pacific region. The government clarified that the 2026 trip to France, which occurred in June 2026, has not yet been fully accounted for, and its cost will be included in the final tally once all bills are settled. It also noted that some 2026 expenditure figures are provisional and will be finalized after all payments are processed. The most expensive trips during this period included Modi's February 2025 visit to France, which cost ₹25.59 crore, followed by his April 2025 trip to Saudi Arabia (₹15.54 crore), July 2025 visit to Brazil (₹17.72 crore), and June 2025 trip to the United States (₹16.54 crore). The September 2024 visit to the U.S. also cost ₹15.33 crore, while his June 2024 trip to Italy totaled ₹14.36 crore. In 2026, Modi visited Malaysia, Israel, the UAE, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Italy, France, Slovakia, Seychelles, Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand. The government emphasized that some 2026 expenditure data remains provisional. For 2025, Modi's visits included France, the U.S.#rajya_sabha #indian_government #prime_minister_modi #sanjay_singh #dr_v_shivdasan
