Desi talk

www.desitalkchicago.com – that’s all you need to know 19 INDIA July 3, 2026 I ndia’s capital New Delhi will offer a cash incen- tive of over$1,000 to car owners willing to scrap their old vehicle for an EV, according to a new policy finalised by the government on Monday in a move aimed at reducing high levels of air pol- lution. New Delhi is one of the world’s most polluted cities with air quality worsening in the winters when dense, stagnant air traps emissions from crops burning in neighbouring states, vehicle exhaust and construction dust. Here are some details: • The local government in New Delhi finalises new electric vehicle policy with an outlay of 150 billion rupees ($1.59 billion) over four years to in- centivise buyers of electric two-wheelers, cars and small trucks, as well as setting up EV chargers. • To offer $1,060 as scrapping incentive to those who trade in cars bought before April 1, 2020 for an EV. • Those buying a battery EV priced at up to 3 million rupees will be exempt from paying road tax and registration fees, which typically amount to 4%-10% of the car’s price. • Buyers of electric scooters and motorbikes will get a cash incentive of 30,000 rupees in the policy’s first year, reducing to 10,000 rupees by year three. • Delhi government will only register electric two-wheelers from April 1, 2028, forcing buyers to move away from gasoline and other powertrains. •Will also incentivise setting up 32,000 EV charging points across Delhi. • Hybrid vehicles have not been included in the policy which is expected to come into effect from July 1. • Policy will provide a big boost to EV players like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra as well as electric two-wheeler makers TVS Motor, Bajaj Auto and Ather Energy. - Reuters New Delhi Offers Residents $1,000 To Scrap Old Cars For EVs To Curb Air Pollution PHOTO:REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI/FILE PHOTO Traffic moves along a highway amidst air pollution in New Delhi, India, December 18, 2025. By Aditi Shah Uttar Pradesh: Eight Accused In Ram Mandir Embezzlement Case To Appear Before Ayodhya Court A ll eight accused in the alleged Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case are scheduled to be pro- duced before the Special Court for Corruption Act cases in Ayodhya June 29, for judicial custody proceed- ings, as the local bar association meets to decide whether its lawyers will represent them. Tight security has been put in place at the Ayodhya court, with a large police force deployed both inside the court premises and outside the complex. The accused were sent to jail till Monday by the remand magistrate on Friday, June 26. They are expected to be sent back to ju- dicial custody after their appearance. The Ayodhya Bar Association will decide on providing representation to the accused. Speaking to ANI on the matter, Kalika Prasad Mishra, President of the Ayodhya Bar Association, said a meeting of the Faizabad Advocates’ Association had been called for 10:30 am to deliberate on whether lawyers would defend the accused. “A meeting of the Faizabad Advocates’ Association has been called; it will begin at 10:30 AM. Lawyers will deliberate on the ongoing situation whether or not to represent the accused in their defence. I cannot state my own decision right now, nor do I know it yet; the Association’s deci- sion will be paramount,” Mishra said. He added that the outcome was likely to favour the temple. “After gathering opinions, a decision will be reached regarding whether the lawyers from the Ayodhya district will oppose the accused, defend them, or simply condemn their actions… As for the decision, it is highly likely that the Advocates’ Association will decide in favour of the temple and its interests,” he said. Mishra also said the hearing may be held virtually from jail. “It is highly prob- able that the hearing will be conducted virtually from the jail, which would be appropriate; both the administration and the Advocates’ Association would likely prefer this arrangement,” he said. Earlier, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered on June 25 in con- nection with the alleged embezzlement of donations received at the RamTemple in Ayodhya. According to officials, the case has been filed under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 306, 316(5), 317(4), 317(5), 61 and 3(5), on the directions of the Uttar Pradesh Government. Those who have been named in the FIR are: Anukalp Mishra, Lavkush Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Tinnu Yadav, Manish Yadav and others. This comes after allega- tions were made by former SP MLA from Ayodhya, Pawan Pandey, who claimed that between Rs 7 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in donations were misappropriated from the RamMandir. Following the allegations, on June 14, the state government constituted a three- member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged scam involving offer- ings made at the RamMandir, following a request from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir Trust. Reacting to the case, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told ANI, “The police administration should conduct an impartial investigation and take strict action; the government will ensure this.” The case has triggered a political slug- fest in Uttar Pradesh, with the ruling BJP and Opposition parties trading allegations over the handling of the temple’s finances, even as the SIT investigation continues. - ANI PHOTO:REUTERS/ADNAN ABIDI PHOTO:ANI Hindu devotees gather near the Lord Ram temple after its inauguration, in Ayodhya, India, January 22, 2024. Police personnel outside the Special Court for Corruption Act.