The Government of Sikkim has set up a centralized State Control Room in Gangtok, along with district-level control rooms across all six districts, to monitor and manage LPG distribution. This step comes amid concerns over supply disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict. According to the Food & Civil Supplies Department, the control rooms will operate 24/7 to ensure smooth supply, prevent black marketing, and address public complaints. A regulated refill schedule has been introduced, with domestic LPG refills available every 25 days in urban areas and every 45 days in rural regions. Priority for commercial LPG will be given to essential services, including hospitals and educational institutions. Authorities have also instructed strict enforcement of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and require daily reporting from district units to the State Control Room.
Oil companies such as IOCL, HPCL, and BPCL will coordinate with the government to maintain uninterrupted supply. Officials have assured swift action against malpractices, emphasizing that these measures will remain in effect until further notice. At the central level, the government is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary preparedness and response measures to ensure stability in critical sectors. Efforts focus on maintaining energy supplies, safeguarding maritime operations, and supporting Indian nationals in the region. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas provided an update on these measures on March 29, 2026.
With the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a key global oil shipping route—proactive steps are being taken to secure uninterrupted petroleum and LPG availability. All refineries are operating at high capacity, with adequate crude stocks. Domestic LPG production has been increased, and sufficient petrol and diesel reserves are being maintained.
City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies, including IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas, and BPCL, are offering incentives for domestic and commercial PNG connections. The government has urged States, Union Territories, and Central Ministries to expedite approvals for CGD network expansion. States that facilitate a transition from LPG to PNG can receive an additional 10% allocation of commercial LPG, with multiple States already applying for such support. Two LPG carriers, BW TYR and BW ELM, carrying a total of about 94,000 MT of LPG, have safely transited and are en route to India.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
In a gesture honoring Kerala’s rich cultural heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Palakkad on Sunday, donning traditional attire as part of the NDA’s campaign ahead of the Assembly elections. At a public gathering, he wore a crisp white mundu paired with a simple kurta and draped a kasavu stole with golden borders, embracing the elegance of Kerala’s traditional dress.
PM Modi also connected with local customs by playing the chenda, a percussion instrument central to the state’s festivals and cultural events. During the event, he was felicitated on stage by local leaders and party workers. His choice to wear regional attire reflects a broader pattern from past visits, where he has often adopted local dress as a mark of respect for regional traditions.
The visit to Palakkad is part of the BJP-led NDA’s election push in Kerala, which comprises 12 assembly constituencies in the district: Thrithala, Pattambi, Shoranur, Ottapalam, Kongad, Mannarkkad, Malampuzha, Palakkad, Tarur, Chittur, Nemmara, and Alathur. Kerala is set to vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.
Alongside Kerala, elections have also been announced in Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, and Puducherry, with polling dates spread across April. The current term of the Kerala Assembly is slated to end on May 23. PM Modi’s visit highlights the party’s focus on connecting with the state’s cultural identity while intensifying campaigning ahead of the crucial elections, signaling both political engagement and respect for local traditions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Leaving one's hometown to pursue dreams in a new city is never easy. For Ahmedabad native Paresh Pahuja, moving to Mumbai and establishing himself in the entertainment industry demanded years of hard work, perseverance, and dedication. His efforts have finally paid off, earning him recognition as both a singer and actor.
Paresh credits Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as his biggest inspiration, noting that the actor continues to influence his journey. His 2022 song, Dooron Dooron, gradually gained popularity over time, especially after a live unplugged version went viral on social media. This success also helped audiences discover his other tracks.
Reflecting on the journey, Paresh said, “The song didn’t take off immediately. It’s not always about planning or marketing. Sometimes, things just connect with people, and that’s how it works.” He also highlighted the role of social media in helping independent artists reach audiences directly, creating a personal connection with fans.
When asked about tracking likes and views, he admitted that earlier he was caught in that cycle, but now he focuses on creating music authentically rather than chasing virality. Paresh has also acted in films like the 2017 YRF blockbuster Tiger Zinda Hai, and he continues to expand his career. Drawing inspiration from Shah Rukh Khan, he aspires to reach a wider audience and convey the same themes of love, possibility, and passion.
His ongoing Love Notes tour reflects this ambition, with the Delhi launch on March 27 seeing Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium resonate with Dooron Dooron, performed twice at fans’ requests. Upcoming performances are scheduled in Bengaluru (April 3), Pune (April 12), and Mumbai (April 18).
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar sharply criticised Lebanon on Monday, asserting that the country is effectively under Iranian control and failing to curb Hezbollah’s influence. Posting on X, Sa’ar accused Beirut of ignoring its own decision to expel Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shiba, even after the March 29 deadline had passed.
He highlighted that although the Lebanese Foreign Ministry had declared Shiba “persona non grata,” the diplomat remained in Beirut. Sa’ar also noted that Hezbollah ministers continue to hold positions in the Lebanese government, calling Lebanon “a virtual state that is, in practice, occupied by Iran” and describing the situation as a “visible occupation that hardly anyone speaks about.”
Sa’ar further accused Hezbollah of violating the November 2024 ceasefire by launching 5,000 missiles, rockets, and drones at Israel since March 2. Many of these projectiles were reportedly fired from areas south of the Litani River, which the Lebanese army had previously claimed to control. He urged Lebanon to take decisive action against Iran and its proxy, stating that the country “will not regain its freedom until a decision is made in Beirut to confront the Iranian occupation and Hezbollah.”
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi announced that the government had withdrawn its approval for Shiba as ambassador, declared him persona non grata, and ordered him to leave by March 29. Raggi instructed the Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry to notify the Iranian Charge d’Affaires of the decision. Sa’ar welcomed the step, describing it as “justified” and urging further measures to counter Iran’s indirect influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@gidonsaar.
The government has eased kerosene distribution rules for 60 days to tackle the LPG shortage caused by the West Asia crisis. Selected state-run petrol pumps, including in 21 “kerosene-free” states and UTs like Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and UP, can now supply kerosene for cooking and lighting. OMCs may store up to 2,500 litres, and dealers have been exempted from certain licences to speed up distribution. The move aims to ensure fuel availability amid limited LPG imports.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
In 1998, tobacco companies in the United States were made responsible for the damage caused by the products they produced and sold through the Tobacco Settlement. Today, a similar question arises for Big Tech: it is not only about the content on their platforms but also whether these platforms were intentionally created to keep users addicted. Daniel Martin explores this issue with Rajesh Sreenivasan, Head of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications at Rajah and Tann Singapore.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
On “Destination Anywhere,” Melanie Oliveiro chats with Regina Lee, a travel and home influencer, about her journey through northern Xinjiang. From the shimmering turquoise waters of Sayram Lake to the lush rolling landscapes of Nalati Grasslands and the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan mountains, Regina recounts the region’s beauty and charm. She guides listeners through glacier valleys, picturesque villages, vibrant lakes, and lively bazaars, while also sharing practical tips on how to fully experience this remarkable frontier of China.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
This week, as the repercussions of the US-Israel conflict with Iran continue, Australians are feeling the pinch from a worsening fuel crisis. At the same time, the Liberal Party faces a critical moment as voters increasingly shift toward One Nation. In this edition of the Guardian’s Australian Politics podcast, political editor Tom McIlroy talks with Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability, about Australia’s approach to the global fuel shock, the need for reindustrialisation, and his perspective on how the Liberal Party should respond to the rise of One Nation.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
As tensions rise in Iran, the global energy system is being tested like never before. Critical chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, along with concentrated LNG infrastructure in hubs like Ras Laffan, highlight the inherent rigidity and vulnerability of oil and gas markets. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore what “market adjustment” looks like when long-term contracts offer little flexibility, and why Europe could once again face a challenging scramble for energy supplies. Their analysis includes insights from Pang Lu Ming, Vice President of Gas & LNG Research at Rystad Energy.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
