The price of compressed natural gas (CNG) in Delhi and the National Capital Region has been increased for the second time in two days, as India grapples with the economic impact of the Iran war. The latest hike of 1 rupee per kg brings the Delhi price to 80.09 rupees (€0.72, $0.83), while in Noida and Ghaziabad it now stands at 88.70 rupees (€0.8, $0.92).
This follows a 2-rupee increase on May 15, marking the first fuel price adjustments in four years. Taxi drivers, who rely heavily on CNG, expressed frustration. “Our fares haven't increased, but CNG prices keep rising. It's making a big difference for poor people like us,” one driver told the PTI news agency.
The hikes come amid soaring global crude oil prices due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government initially absorbed the shock but has now signaled deeper economic strain. Experts warn that further increases may follow.
Meanwhile, Modi arrived in Sweden on Sunday as part of a five-nation tour aimed at bolstering trade, defense cooperation, and energy security. Earlier, in the Netherlands, he signed a memorandum with ASML to advance semiconductor manufacturing in India and announced the repatriation of 11th-century Chola copper plates from Leiden University.
In the Indian Premier League, the Kolkata Knight Riders defeated the Gujarat Titans by 29 runs on Saturday, handing Gujarat their first loss in five matches. KKR's Finn Allen scored 93 off 35 balls, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi added 82 not out.
India's Foreign Ministry on Saturday rejected an arbitration award by the International Criminal Court's Court of Arbitration favoring Pakistan in a dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty. The ministry called the court “illegally constituted” and said the treaty suspension remains in force.
The southern state of Andhra Pradesh announced one-time cash payments of 30,000 rupees for a third child and 40,000 rupees for a fourth child to counter declining fertility rates. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the policy aims to boost population growth.
In New Delhi, students protested outside the National Testing Agency after the NEET-UG medical entrance exam was canceled due to a paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation identified a chemistry lecturer as the culprit. Protesters demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Police in Kolkata filed a criminal case against opposition leader Abhishek Banerjee for allegedly making inflammatory remarks against Home Minister Amit Shah. Banerjee's party, the Trinamool Congress, lost recent elections to the BJP.
In Punjab, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse hundreds of farmers attempting to march to the governor's residence to submit demands.
Source: www.dw.com