Policy Watch: EV-Hybrid War, Walkie-Talkie Veto & Wheat Hoarding Curbs

Crucial Niti Aayog Meet, As EV Makers Up In Arms Against Hybrids

The Delhi government’s draft proposal to treat hybrid cars on a par with electric vehicles (EVs), has vertically split car manufacturers in India. The Secretariat is tracking the Mahabharat within the Indian automobile industry.

EV makers have now taken the tussle to the next level. Sources informed that India's leading EV manufacturers, including Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Hyundai India, are pushing hard at the ministry-level to exclude hybrid cars from the Delhi government’s proposed incentives.

Ministry officials, on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a meeting is in progress today (May 30) at the government think tank Niti Aayog to discuss the issue.

Among the states, the Uttar Pradesh government has already granted the exact same waivers for "strong" and "plug-in" hybrids, in July last year.

Domestic EV makers have serious apprehensions that if Delhi follows UP's path, it may open a Pandora’s box for them in other states. And if other states also start incentivising hybrid cars in a bandwagon effect, EV makers will get a serious profit hit.

Most of these EV makers have already committed a huge amount of investment into battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology. Their roadmap, synchronised with India’s 2070 Net Zero commitment, never included hybrid automobiles.

Now, these companies feel that their R&D expenditures will be wasted if hybrid makers, who do not have to incur such R&D costs, start getting the same incentives.

The intense fight between EV and hybrid manufacturers has now reached the power corridors. And the EV manufacturers are pulling no punches. It will be interesting to see the next move of the hybrid car makers.

No More Unauthorised Online Sale Of Walkie-Talkies & Radio Equipment

The world of e-commerce in India is no less than a digital ‘Wild Wild West’ — at least in the realm of telecom products on sale. Radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, is one such category.

While national security has become the most significant topic of late, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has fired a warning shot across all Indian digital marketplaces. It has today notified “Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment including Walkie Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025”.

The CCPA works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and the guideline is meant to curb “unauthorised sale of wireless devices that may pose risks to consumer safety, mislead consumers regarding their legal position and interfere with critical communication networks, including those used by law enforcement and emergency services.”

The last part of the objectives is critical, in the wake of recent terror attacks and the India-Pakistan conflict. That is why the guidelines were finalised after deep inter-ministerial consultations between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The move comes after online marketplaces were flooded with unauthorised wireless devices in recent times. Under the new guidelines, all listings for walkie-talkies and similar gear available on e-commerce platforms, must clearly provide licensing requirements, frequency ranges, and legal obligations. No more hiding behind fancy names.

It's not just tough talking on the CCPA’s part, which is now also acting tough. Leading e-commerce giants have already received 13 notices for nearly 17,000 suspect listings. The watchdog does not stop there and ensures relentless scrutiny going forward through these new guidelines.

Govt Steps In To Curb Wheat Hoarding

With an eye on food security while keeping prices under control, the Centre has announced stock limits on wheat applicable to traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors in all states and Union Territories (UTs). The move will also curb hoarding and speculation, something that will hurt the common citizens the most. 

The Government of India, on May 27, issued the "Removal of Licensing Requirements, Stock Limits and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2025". The order will be applicable till March 31, 2026.

Traders and wholesalers can now store up to 3,000 metric tonnes of wheat, while retailers have permission to pile up to 10 tonnes per outlet. Big chain retailers are allowed to store 10 tonnes per store, with their entire limit fixed by multiplying this amount by the number of outlets.

Earlier, the Centre had imposed export restrictions to maintain wheat prices and availability. While the government was expected to lift the ban on exports, the decision could get delayed, as the priority is once again the domestic market.