New Delhi, Feb 20: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday clarified India’s decision to associate itself with a joint statement condemning Israeli expansion in the West Bank, after initially not being part of the initiative.

Responding to a question during a media briefing, the MEA spokesperson said, “you may be aware that this was not a negotiated document, as is usually the case in the UN. Our position on this issue was most recently expressed in the India-Arab League Ministerial Joint statement, which is as follows:

‘Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East, according to international law, relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. They called for a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine based on 1967 borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. Both parties supported the practice of inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.”

“In consonance with it, we have associated ourselves with the initiative keeping in mind the concerns addressed by the statement.” The clarification comes amid questions over India’s initial absence from the statement criticising Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and its subsequent decision to join it. India has consistently supported a negotiated two-state solution, backing the establishment of a sovereign and viable Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security.

New Delhi, Feb 20: Highways authority NHAI is considering discontinuing cash payments at highway toll plazas from April 1, requiring commuters to use only digital modes such as FASTag or UPI for toll payments.

Post implementation, all toll payments at National Highway fee plazas will be processed exclusively through digital modes, using FASTag or Unified Payments Interface (UPI), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said.

The authority said it is contemplating completely discontinuing cash transactions at the National Highway fee plazas across the country from April 1, 2026, in order to develop a fully digital National Highway tolling ecosystem.

The proposed measure is aimed at consolidating the gains achieved in Electronic Toll Collection and strengthening the efficiency & reliability of National Highway fee plaza operations, it said.

The transition will help to enhance ‘Ease of Commuting’ for National Highway users by improving lane throughput, reducing congestion at fee plazas and bringing greater consistency and transparency in toll transactions.

In the past few years, over 98 per cent penetration of FASTag has significantly transformed toll collection practices in the country. At present, an overwhelming proportion of toll transactions are processed electronically through RFID-enabled FASTag affixed to vehicles, facilitating seamless and contactless movement across toll plazas.

In addition, UPI payment facilities have been operationalized at the National Highway toll plazas, ensuring availability of instant and accessible digital payment options for National Highway commuters nationwide.

As per National Highway fee rules, vehicles entering a fee plaza without a valid, functional FASTag are charged twice the applicable user fee, if the fee payment is made in cash. Whereas National Highway users who opt to pay via UPI are charged only 1.25 times of the user fee for the applicable vehicle category.

These initiatives have collectively advanced the objective of reducing dependency on cash transactions and digitizing the tolling framework.

Plaza-level assessments indicate that cash-based payments contribute to congestion, increased waiting times during peak traffic periods and transaction-related disputes.

A complete transition to digital only mode of payment will strengthen operational efficiency, improve traffic management, minimise delays and enhance overall National Highway user experience at over 1,150 fee plazas on various National Highways and Expressways in the country.

Srinagar, Feb 20: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Friday has written to Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) National Convenor Nasir Khuehami in response to concerns raised over recent attacks on Kashmiri students and shawl sellers reported from various parts of the country.

In his letter, Gandhi expressed deep concern over the recent wave of violence targeting members of the Kashmiri community. He observed that the “politics of hate” has not only weakened institutions but also fractured the nation’s social fabric, and alleged that elements, encouraged either tacitly or overtly by the ruling dispensation, have contributed to an atmosphere of fear among minorities and marginalised groups.

The Leader of Opposition unequivocally condemned violence in all its forms and reaffirmed his party’s commitment to upholding constitutional values. Expressing solidarity with the victims and their families who have endured “unimaginable pain,” Gandhi asserted that he will continue to fight hate and stand up for their right to live with dignity, security, and equal citizenship.

The development comes amid growing alarm over repeated incidents of harassment, assault, and intimidation faced by Kashmiri students and seasonal traders, particularly shawl sellers, across several states. The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has been actively pursuing the matter with political leaders and authorities, seeking safeguards to ensure the safety and protection of the community.