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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to Indian citizens to use petrol, gas, and diesel with great restraint as the nation navigates a global energy crisis. Speaking on May 10, the PM noted that saving fuel is critical to preserving foreign exchange and mitigating the adverse economic impacts of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
A recent surge in diesel prices is significantly impacting the Indian economy more than previous petrol price hikes. While petrol is primarily used by private vehicle owners, diesel serves as the backbone of India's logistics, powering trucks, buses, tractors, and heavy machinery. Due to the nation's heavy dependence on road-based transport for essential goods, an increase in diesel costs leads to a direct rise in the price of commodities, affecting every household across the country.
The Indian rupee hit a fresh all-time low of 95.8 against the US dollar on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. This sharp decline follows a previous low of ₹95.17 recorded just two days ago. The currency's struggle comes despite recent appeals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who urged citizens to curb fuel consumption and halt gold purchases for a year to help stabilise the national currency and preserve foreign exchange reserves.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed 165 Additional Counting Observers and 77 Police Observers to oversee the final stages of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. This move, executed under Article 324 of the Constitution, aims to ensure a transparent and intimidation-free counting process. While the Additional Observers will assist in constituencies with multiple counting halls, the Police Observers are tasked with maintaining a strict security perimeter. To enhance integrity, the ECI has mandated QR code-based Photo IDs for all personnel and prohibited mobile phones inside the halls for everyone except the Returning Officer and Counting Observers.
