Gadkari admits vehicles cause 40% pollution, Exposed: How 'no PUC, no fuel' rule is flouted

The big focus of this episode of 5 Live is Delhi's severe air pollution crisis, with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari admitting that vehicular emissions contribute to 40% of the problem and cause him to fall ill. Meanwhile, an India Today investigation exposed a widespread scam involving the issuance of fraudulent Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates without vehicle testing. Amid the pollution emergency, the Delhi High Court has criticised the government's handling of the situation and urged the GST council to consider lowering the tax on air purifiers from 18% to 5%. A ground report highlights the plight of daily wage workers affected by GRAP 4 restrictions on construction. Separately, the bulletin reports on the public outrage following the Delhi High Court's decision to suspend the life sentence of Kuldeep Singh Sengar in the 2017 Unnao rape case, a verdict that activists and the survivor have condemned. Other major headlines include a new political alliance in Maharashtra and a significant satellite launch by ISRO.