VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Stop child sex abuse ads on Insta at once: Govt to Meta | India News Foundation laid for Rs 2,500-crore defence plant in Madhya Pradesh Representative image (PTI) NEW DELHI: Govt is set to make driving tests mandatory for motorists seeking renewal of their driving licences if they have a history of traffic-rule violations, as reflected in challans. Road transport ministry has also proposed empowering Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACTs) to award interim compensation to road crash victims and their families, instead of making them wait until the final disposal of their claims.After consultations with states and ministries spanning almost two years, the proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act were placed before the informal Group of Ministers (iGoM) headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh last week. TOI has learnt that the panel has given the ministry the go-ahead to finalise the bill, which may be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament.The proposals are aimed at reining in errant drivers and use of uninsured vehicles and also seek to go back to the earlier practice of insurance regulator IRDAI fixing the third-party premium based on vehicle age and challan history. In the 2019 amendment, this power was vested with the road transport ministry.The amendments linked to compensation in case of death or grievous injuries in road crashes are significant. At present, MACTs can’t provide any interim relief. The ministry has proposed that a claims tribunal may “grant such interim relief that it may deem fit”. It has also proposed that in case an insurer or offending party challenges the order of a claims tribunal, it would have to pre-deposit Rs 10 lakh or 50% of the awarded amount, whichever is less. Currently, it’s Rs 25,000 or 50% of the awarded amount, whichever is less.The ministry has also proposed increasing the bar for filing appeals in high courts from current Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. “The move to allow interim compensation by MACT tribunals is welcome considering that such cases often face delays in final disposal,” said Amarjeet Singh, an advocate and a road safety expert.Experts also lauded the proposal that makes fresh driving tests mandatory for drivers who have a history of flouting traffic rules. Tightening the screws on errant drivers, the ministry has also proposed that no fresh DL would be issued to an applicant for three years in case of revocation of earlier DL.The ministry has further proposed to increase the age bar for requirement of medical certificate for fresh DL or licence renewal from the current 40 years to 60. “In the name of ease of living and ease of doing business, we must not compromise with the fundamental parameters that are necessary for making roads safe,” said Anil Chhikara, a former deputy transport commissioner of Delhi.Experts also said that the proposal of “double fine or penalty” for drivers violating traffic rules would increase the risk of misuse by traffic police. Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? 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Now its schools are being told to dim lights as power bills jump 25% Ram temple donation theft: From ignored warnings to Rs 6-8 lakh daily theft, 10 things we know so far Seaplane carrying 8 crashes into New York’s East River, all rescued – video Congo River releases 40,000 cubic metres of freshwater into the Atlantic every second. Scientists trace where it goes 17,625 tablets in 64 hours: China’s Agibot completes world’s first livestream of humanoid robots inspecting production line with 99% accuracy Hyderabad man quits Amazon to become an taxi driver and the reason is truly a brave one ‘Have they house arrested her?’ TMC cries ‘super emergency’ over Mamata security America’s snake capital: This US state has the most venomous snakes in the country (and it’s not Texas) Representative image NEW DELHI: For the second time in the past 11 months, country’s automobile majors have come to back govt’s mandatory 20% blending of ethanol in petrol (E20) — amid some genuine concerns and some misinformation surrounding the adverse impact of E20 on vehicles that were manufactured before April 2023. TOI looks at why the controversy is on.Mileage/Consumers complaintsFor most vehicle owners, mileage still remains the key factor while buying a vehicle. There have been numerous complaints that the mileage of vehicles has dropped since the full roll out of E20 — an issue not just flagged on social media, rather a common talking point in workplaces, and at social gatherings. Govt and automobile companies have maintained that there is 3-4% reduction in mileage due to E20 fuel in vehicles that are non-compliant. They refer to findings of a study conducted by Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Indian Oil Corporation and SIAM in 2021. It said fuel consumption of vehicles with E20 increases 2-6% compared to E10, and the percentage varies from vehicle to vehicle.However, vehicle owners don’t buy this, as the real mileage loss is more. They need to buy more E20 and that too without any reduction in price to compensate for mileage loss. Automobile companies and govt have maintained that mileage depends on factors, including tyre pressure, driving pattern, gear selection, and vehicle maintenance.Impact on vehicle engine and materialsGovt and vehicle manufacturers have referred to ARAI report of 2021 to refute claims of impact of E20 fuel on vehicles. The report said there was “no significant discoloration or pitting or any other type of corrosion” in any metallic components tested. The full report, which TOI has seen, concluded that “fuel system material coupons made of a certain elastomer (rubber) like NBR-PVC blend performed inferior with E20 compared to E10”. It added that as per SIAM, “rubber parts for fuel system components used in vehicles, such as hoses, gaskets/ seals and O-rings are showing deterioration and may need replacement for using E20”.India’s E20 programmeIndia achieved 20% ethanol blending in April 2025, ahead of the earlier target of 2030, meaning normal petrol at every pump has 20% ethanol. People involved in govt’s ethanol blending programme say had the target not been pushed, almost all E0 (100% petrol) vehicles manufactured prior to 2012 and a large share of E10 (10% ethanol) compliant vehicles manufactured from 2013 onwards would have completed 15 years.However, the significance and benefit of E20 caught attention after the US-Israel attack on Iran disrupted global fuel supply and pushed crude prices. Govt has said ethanol blending programme has reduced oil imports by 4.5 lakh barrels per year and saved foreign exchange.Why controversy at peak nowWhile some parts of the country started getting E20 early, availability across the nation was achieved only in April 2025. So, the number of complaints about drop in mileage and other negative impacts have increased. The impacts are more in case of vehicles manufactured before 2012.Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notifying fuel standards for E22, E25, E27 and E30 has further raised the speculation of govt increasing mandatory blending. Officials are tight-lipped about where and when this decision was taken. However, govt has maintained any further increase in ethanol blending will be done after proper research and due consultation with stakeholders. Higher blending would even impact E20 vehicles.Can govt give option of 100% petrol & E20 at pumps for consumers to optAfter going for mandatory 20% ethanol blending there is hardly any possibility of going back. However, experts say govt should go for higher blends of ethanol as an optional fuel at stations so that vehicles that are compatible can go for them, something similar to the practice in Brazil. Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Super Emergency’: TMC Claims Police Barricaded Mamata Banerjee’s House Before Baruipur VisitBadrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Forms 4-Member Panel To Probe Donation Irregularity ClaimsMumbai Monsoon Horror: 63-Year-Old Dies After Tree Falls On ShopCentre Denies Reports That Bhutan Rejected India’s E20 Petrol ProposalPoJK Protesters Seek Help From India’s Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh Regions Amid Pakistan’s CrackdownPrashant Kishor To Finally Contest Bankipur Bypoll, Jan Suraaj Names Founder As CandidateWhy Did China Reacted Sharply To Japan PM Sanae Takaichi’s India Visit?Govt Cracks Down on Meta Over Alleged Child Sexual Abuse-Linked Instagram Ads, Seeks Reply in 7 DaysMamata Reassumes TMC Leadership As Dilip Ghosh Claims Party Is Crumbling Amid ResignationsWhy Adani’s $1.4 Billion Vizhinjam Port Stake Sale To MSC Has Triggered A Political Row123PhotostoriesIs it normal forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease? 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