Postal vote lapse: Kerala HC seeks ECI's clarification, hearing on April 21

IANS | April 17, 2026 2:38 PM

Kochi, April 17 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Friday sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) over alleged lapses in the postal voting process that left at least one government employee unable to exercise his franchise, and posted the matter for hearing on April 21.

Firhad Hakim slams BJP's 'fake politics', defends Trinamool's development model

IANS | April 17, 2026 2:28 PM

Kolkata, April 17 (IANS) West Bengal Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim on Friday mounted a sharp attack on the BJP, alleging that electoral politics has shifted from ideological contest to "fake narratives, social media misinformation and agency pressure", while strongly defending his Trinamool Congress government's development record and governance model.

'Make attractive fuel option': Govt panel favours scrapping excise duty on CNG

IANS | April 17, 2026 1:50 PM

New Delhi, April 17 (IANS) A high-level government committee, supported by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), has recommended removing excise duty on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to lower prices and promote consumption of the green fuel to meet India's target of achieving a 15 per cent share of natural gas in the fuel mix by 2030.