The News Minute | July 1, 2014 | 10.12 am IST

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gandkari stands in the eye of a potential storm.

The Indian Express reported that the Union Minister wants to amend the Motor Vehicles Act so as to allow the operation of battery-run autorickshaws. A company that manufactures these autoricksahws stands to benefit directly from the proposed amendment. This company is closely linked with Gadkari and his extended family.

Purti Green Technologies Private Limited (PGT) is a company run by the Purti Group, which was founded by Gadkari. The director of PGT is Ashok Totade, who is Gadkari's brother-in-law.

Indian Express reported: “Totade, Gadkari’s brother-in-law, told The Indian Express that the company has been waiting for this exemption on motor wattage so that it can start manufacturing and marketing battery-run rickshaws.

It’s exactly this exemption that Gadkari referred to in his speech at a rally on June 17. “E-rickshaws having motor up to 650 W will be regarded as non-motorised vehicles. The transport department and traffic police cannot challan them,” he said, promising to amend the Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, 1988, that, currently, exempts only vehicles under 250 W with a speed limit of 25 kmph.”