Several countries in the subcontinent have turned to India for additional fuel as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East limit energy supplies from the Persian Gulf.This comes after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed, leaving several countries in South Asia with limited stocks and few alternative supply routes.MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told a news conference that New Delhi was reviewing requests from several countries.“We have received requests from some neighboring countries for energy exports, including diesel from Bangladesh. We will consider domestic supply and production before taking any decision,” Jaiswal said.He added that similar requests had also been received from Sri Lanka and the Maldives and were being reviewed. Jaiswal stressed that any decision on supply of petroleum products would take into account India’s internal energy needs.While India has yet to approve additional fuel requests, New Delhi’s status as the world’s fourth-largest oil refiner gives it room to respond to the crisis, deepening regional ties and cementing its position as a reliable partner in South Asia.Countries seeking help from IndiaNepalNepal has asked Indian Oil Corporation to increase monthly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies amid the ongoing crisis.Kathmandu asked for an additional 3,000 tons of LPG but was told that only the amount stipulated in the contract could be delivered so far, the deputy director general of the state-run Nepal Petroleum Corporation told Bloomberg.Under existing agreements, Nepal currently receives about 48,000 tons of LPG per month from international oil companies.Nepal is completely dependent on India for its fuel supply. Panic buying in the country has led households to hoard cooking gas cylinders, prompting authorities to restrict distribution.“The weight of a normal LPG cylinder is 14.2 kg and we have decided to reduce it to 7.1 kg from today,” said Manoj Kumar Thakur.BangladeshDhaka also asked India to supply additional diesel fuel on top of the 180,000 tons per year stipulated in the existing contract. Just weeks after taking office, the Bangladeshi government faces the prospect of severe fuel shortages.Bangladesh, which imports more than 80% of its energy from the Middle East, imposed austerity measures last week, with the newly elected government closing fertilizer plants and restricting decorative lighting to save electricity.The push for extra supplies comes as New Delhi and Dhaka move to repair previously strained relations.“Considering the critical moment, we have asked them to slightly increase oil supply,” Bangladesh Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said after meeting the Indian high commissioner in Dhaka on Wednesday.Sri LankaSri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijita Herat also held an “emergency meeting” with the Russian ambassador in Colombo on Friday to discuss oil purchases under temporary U.S. sanctions exemptions, a statement from Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said.Sri Lanka spent $3.83 billion on fuel imports last year, with most of the cargo coming from India and Singapore, according to government data.“Sri Lanka does not have enough storage facilities to store fuel for the next few weeks, but there are enough confirmed shipments by the end of this month,” Rajakaruna, chairman of state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corp., told reporters.Ashok Malik, a partner at Asia Group in New Delhi, told Bloomberg that India has stepped in to help meet fuel needs in the past.“I believe this will win goodwill from India because all countries are struggling,” Malik said.“While India’s energy ties with its neighbors are strong, it may not be able to solve all supply challenges,” Malik added.India relies on imports for nearly 90% of its annual crude oil needs. During the crisis, the company has been looking for alternative supply routes to offset supply disruptions.New Delhi ordered some 30 million barrels of Russian oil earlier this week after receiving a U.S. waiver and has been negotiating with Iran over the safe passage of more than 20 tankers.Earlier on Thursday, a Liberian-flagged ship carrying crude oil from Tanura port in Saudi Arabia also arrived at Mumbai port via the Strait of Hormuz.The Shenlong Suezmax tanker, said to be carrying about 135,335 tons (about 1 million barrels) of crude oil, departed from a Saudi port and arrived in Mumbai on March 1, becoming the first India-bound ship to safely navigate the strategic waterway and reach the Indian coast amid fierce fighting in the Gulf.
£150 fine for feeding pigeons? Manchester Park woman stunned after fined
A woman has spoken of the “shocking” moment she was fined £150 after feeding pigeons a tortilla wrap.According to the BBC, 23-year-old Sam Elkin from Southport was celebrating her birthday with her partner in Manchester on March 9 when she was fined for “littering” in the city’s Piccadilly Gardens.Sam told BBC Manchester she was sitting with her partner eating a McDonald’s burrito. She tore off a piece of an approaching pigeon and placed it on the floor, and was almost immediately fined £150 by council enforcement officers.“Before he actually got to us, the food was actually gone – the pigeons ate it and left,” Sam said. “It was so shocking; I was really upset.”Sam said she had no idea it was offensive when she was feeding pigeons in the city center on Monday. Sam said Monday’s incident left her feeling “very vulnerable”.“It was scary to be honest because I’m short and the person approaching me was only 6ft tall and my partner was in a wheelchair, so I did feel vulnerable in that moment,” she said.She said she had “no hesitation” in tearing the bird’s wrapping off because she didn’t know it was offensive.“I tried to explain to the officer that this was our first official visit to town and I didn’t know that feeding birds was illegal,” Sam said.“I didn’t think much of it because I was always feeding the birds in Southport.”Sam also said she did not think the fine was appropriate because the offending “trash” had been eaten by pigeons when police approached them.“The tortilla is actually missing,” she said. “I pointed out to him, ‘Look at the floor, this discarded food you were talking about is long gone’.”Sam said she was unaware she was being fined when she provided her ID to the officer.“I thought he said he would just give us a warning and then he asked for my ID, which I obviously handed over without giving it a second thought, but when he took my details that was that – and it was a £150 fine.”Sam said she and her disabled partner had recently moved to a new home in Huddersfield and were living on a “slim budget”.“We’ve only recently moved – like, we haven’t gotten our furniture yet – and to be fined like this, especially for something as simple as feeding the birds…” she said.“I mean, there are bigger things going on in the world.”
Cybercrime against women and children: Government urges law enforcement and child protection IT firms to demand stronger response
New Delhi: Highlighting the growing challenge of cyber crimes against women and children, Home Minister Govind Mohan on Friday urged law enforcement agencies to ensure prompt and coordinated response to such cases while urging information technology (IT) intermediaries to comply with all legal provisions aimed at keeping women and children safe in the digital space. Mohan, who was speaking at the inaugural session of the National Dialogue on Cybercrimes against Women and Children (OCWC) organized by the India Cybercrime Coordination Center (I4C), asked states and union territories to strengthen their institutional capacity and establish strong professional units and dedicated response mechanisms to ensure timely investigation, support to victims and prompt action against perpetrators.The event aims to bring together key stakeholders to discuss strengthening coordination mechanisms to prevent and effectively respond to cybercrime against women and children. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah, the government of India remains committed to strengthening institutional mechanisms and promoting collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure a safe, secure and dignified digital environment for women and children across the country,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.Discussions during the dialogue focused on emerging trends and patterns of cybercrime against women and children; strengthening investigative frameworks and digital forensics capabilities; improving victim support and reporting mechanisms; strengthening coordination with digital platforms for timely removal of harmful content; and promoting multi-stakeholder cooperation on prevention, awareness and enforcement.Addressing the meeting, Mohan called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the digital ecosystem is safe and secure.The National Dialogue provides a platform for knowledge exchange, sharing of best practices and collective deliberation to develop a coordinated national strategy to address the evolving challenges posed by cybercrime in the digital environment.The inauguration also marks the launch of the Senior Trainer Induction Program on Cyber Crime Against Women and Children in States/Union Territories with the aim of creating a national pool of trained officers to lead capacity building initiatives in their respective States and Union Territories. The program is designed to provide selected officers with the expertise, investigative techniques and best practices needed to address emerging cyber threats against women and children. The officers will further train law enforcement officers at the state and district levels, thereby strengthening the country’s response framework to such crimes.Friday’s national dialogue was attended by senior officials of state and UT law enforcement agencies, representatives of relevant ministries and departments of the Government of India, social media intermediaries, internet service providers, academia, civil society organizations, legal experts and student representatives.
Nancy Guthrie Update: Police release latest information on suspect’s motive; ‘Another strike likely’
search Nancy Guthrie The disappearance is now entering its sixth week, and authorities are warning those behind her disappearance may strike again.
In an interview with NBC News, Chris Nanos shared new details about the ongoing search. Nancy Investigators are still trying to determine what happened to Savannah Guthrie’s mother after she disappeared from her Tucson home on Feb. 1.
Sheriff warns suspect of possible attack again
Nanos told NBC’s Liz Kreutz in an interview that investigators believe Nancy may have been targeted. However, he warned that authorities could not completely rule out the possibility that the suspect would “definitely” commit another crime.
“A criminal mind is a criminal mind,” the Arizona police chief told NBC’s Liz Kreutz.
“We believe we know why he did it, we believe it was targeted, but we’re not 100 percent sure,” Nanos continued. “So it’s silly to tell people, ‘Don’t worry. You’re not his target.’ You probably are.” “
However, the sheriff did not explain why investigators believe the suspect might strike again or provide more details about other theories surrounding Nancy’s disappearance.
Also read: Nancy Guthrie case: Nearly 30% of Americans feel unsafe after Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s kidnapping
DNA evidence may lead to suspect
Despite all the uncertainty, authorities hope forensic evidence will help move the case forward. Nanos said investigators are taking a closer look at the “mixed” DNA found in Nancy’s home. Officials believe the evidence may eventually lead them to the suspect.
Nanos earlier addressed the possibility of Nancy being specifically targeted in another interview that aired on the Today Show on February 18.
“I think this guy had a target for whatever reason and he made it difficult, but I also had some very tough investigators,” Nanos said.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department and FBI have not publicly released the suspect’s name. Authorities have not confirmed whether Nancy is alive or dead.
Also read: Nancy Guthrie: Legal expert unravels all key evidence in kidnapping case; ‘They don’t add up’
So far, at least three people have been questioned and later released, and authorities say they are not suspected of any crime.
Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie and her family are offering a $1 million reward to anyone with information that can help “bring her home.” Officials said the investigation remains ongoing as the search for Nancy continues.
Dube, who had to travel by train after winning T20 WC title, posts touching post
New Delhi: India all-rounder Shivam Dube went viral on social media after sharing an emotional moment with his father after India won the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Dube shared photos and videos of himself hanging the championship medal around his father’s neck. His father was wearing the India jersey and looked very proud as he held the medal. “The real hero of my life,” Dube wrote in the caption of the post, which quickly struck a chord with fans online.
Dube played an important role in India’s title win, especially in the final against the New Zealand national cricket team, where he blasted 26 runs off just eight balls. Throughout the tournament, he contributed with bat and ball to India’s third T20 World Cup title.After the celebrations, Dube embarked on an unusual journey home. Unlike most international cricketers who travel on charter or business class flights, he had to take the third AC train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai as all flights were fully booked. Speaking about the experience, he explained that he had tried to arrange flights for himself and his family but could not find seats.“There were no flights so I decided to take an early morning train from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. We could have taken the road but trains were faster,” Dubey told The Indian Express.To avoid attracting attention at the station, he disguised himself wearing a hat, mask and long-sleeved T-shirt. He also planned his time carefully to avoid crowds. “I told my wife that I would wait in the car until five minutes before the train departs and then catch up,” Dube added.Soon after arriving in Mumbai, he celebrated the historic win with his family and shared the special moment with the person he calls his biggest inspiration.
Indian-born real estate developer Rishi Kapoor is accused of defrauding $85 million in the purchase of a 68-foot luxury yacht in Miami
An Indian-American real estate developer in Miami has been charged in federal court with an $85 million fraud scheme that was used to finance a luxury yacht and a lavish lifestyle.Rishi Kapoor, 41, was indicted in Florida on multiple criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, tax evasion, failure to file a tax return and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Miami prosecutors unveiled the indictment earlier this month.Kapoor was arrested at a Fort Lauderdale hotel on March 6 and appeared before a magistrate. Prosecutors told the court he was a flight risk and the judge denied his request for bail.Federal prosecutors in Florida said Kapoor raised about $85 million from investors through his company, Location Ventures, promising to build luxury apartments in South Florida. Most projects in areas such as Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Fort Lauderdale were never built. Instead, Kapoor diverted investors’ funds for his own personal use as CEO. He reportedly used the money to buy a 68-foot luxury yacht and help pay for a home in Coral Gables’ Cocoplum neighborhood, one of the wealthiest areas. Kapoor is also accused of failing to pay millions of dollars in payroll taxes. He reportedly collected taxes from Location Ventures employees’ salaries but kept about $2 million for himself instead of turning the money over to the IRS.Court documents allege that Kapoor misled banks to obtain funds for a yacht and other personal expenses. Officials allege that he told investors he had invested about $13 million of his own money, but in fact he only invested about half that amount.He also “defrauded escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction apartment deposits and then misappropriated those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the development,” prosecutors said. “As a result, the Coconut Grove and Miami Beach condo projects were never built,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.If convicted, Kapoor now faces decades in federal prison. Bank fraud alone carries a potential prison sentence of up to 30 years. Prosecutors also said they planned to seize luxury assets linked to the alleged scheme, including yachts, Rolex Daytona watches and platinum rings, in an effort to compensate investors.The case follows a separate civil enforcement action by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2024, in which Kapoor agreed to pay damages but did not admit wrongdoing in connection with another alleged fraud scheme.
RSS plans to scale up Shakha, expand outreach to mark centenary
RSS plans to scale up Shakha, expand outreach to mark centenary anniversary (Image: PTI)
New Delhi: Kuomintang (RSS) will focus on expanding its ‘shakhas’ and strengthening public outreach programs during its centenary year, the group said as it is promoting organizational growth and wider social engagement as part of its centenary plans.Addressing a press conference in Panipat Samarkar on Friday, RSS joint general secretary CR Mukund said “special emphasis” is being placed on the expansion of saha and outreach to society as the organization celebrates its centenary, news agency PTI reported.The remarks came as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale inaugurated the Sangh’s top decision-making body, the three-day Bharatiya Janata Party Sabha (ABPS), in Samalkha, Haryana.
Follow Shaka’s growth and social involvement
Mukund said the Sangh’s centenary plan had “two main aspects” – scaling up the organization through the growth of Shaka, and a simultaneous effort to engage society, build harmony and mobilize people for “social transformation and public awakening”.He said the RSS has reached over 100 million households through its ‘grihasampark’ (mass contact) scheme and reached over 300,000 villages across the country.As part of this outreach, Mukund said the organization has also seen a positive impact on what he termed “sabbhav gosti” and “pramukh nagrik gostis”, PTI reported.
Kerala Outreach Prominent
Highlighting the outreach work in Kerala, Mukund said RSS volunteers visited homes of all classes, including Muslim, Christian and even those with communist leanings.“In Kerala, more than 55,000 Muslim families and 54,000 Christian families are covered by public outreach programmes,” he said.“We received a warm welcome wherever we went. Our ‘swayamsevaks’ reached 55,000 Muslim families and 54,000 Christian families,” Mukund added, noting that the Sangh also extended the initiative to tribal areas.
Hindu Sammelans, youth gatherings and social harmony programs
This year marks the centenary of the RSS and the ABPS meeting is expected to discuss in detail the major activities planned for the celebrations. These include ‘grihasampark’, Hindu Sammelans, Youth Conference, Gathering of Eminent Citizens and Social Harmony Conference.Mukund said Hindu Sammelans events have been held at more than 36,000 locations across the country, with more events planned in urban centres, rural areas and remote areas.He also said the Sangh was working to engage prominent citizens from different areas as community leaders and work with local leaders, heads of spiritual organizations and heads of religious centers at the block level to promote harmony and social reform.
Panch Parivartan and wider issues
Mukund also spoke about the ‘panch parivartan’ initiative of the RSS, which focuses on social harmony, maintenance of family values, environmental protection, self-reliance and compliance with legal, civil and constitutional obligations.“Our goal is to review and implement positive initiatives together to achieve necessary social reforms. Specifically, the Sangh identified five changes. He said five key themes represent the changes needed in society today, PTI reported.On wider issues, Mukund said the situation in Naxal-affected areas was gradually returning to normalcy thanks to the government’s efforts, while “political stability is on the horizon” in Manipur and ongoing dialogue between communities was bearing fruit.He also said that the Sangh hoped that the Bangladesh government would take necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of local Hindus. Asked about the conflict in West Asia, Mukund said the crisis should end soon, adding that this is “what we and the Indian society believe in”.
Important meeting is taking place in Samalha
RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar earlier said that the three-day ABPS meeting will review the activities of the RSS during 2025-26 and take stock of major initiatives taken across districts, PTI reported.A total of 1,487 karyakarta attended the meeting, including elected representatives and key officials from across the country, as well as presidents, general secretaries and organizational secretaries of 32 affiliated organizations. Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Nabin and senior officials of the Sangh sisterhood are also expected to attend.
Trump suffers dramatic meltdown after KC-135 crash; Hegseth makes new demands on Iran’s top leader
The Daily Beast on Friday called President Donald Trump’s late-night social media posts a “twisted meltdown.” The 79-year-old confirmed all six crew members of a ship KC-135 military tanker People who crashed in Iraq have died. The incident is under investigation. U.S. Central Command said the crash was not believed to be the result of enemy or friendly fire.
In a post on The Truth Society, Trump said the United States was “totally destroying the terrorist regime in Iran,” further adding that it was a “tremendous honor” to “kill” members of the Iranian regime.
follow: US-Iran war live updates: US warns of ‘biggest strike’; Iranian president joins protest march
“We have unmatched firepower, unlimited ammunition and plenty of time – look what will happen to these crazy scumbags today,” Trump warned.
“For 47 years, they have been killing innocent people around the world, and now, I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them. What an honor to be able to do that!”
At around 00:33 a.m. local time on Friday, Trump claimed: “The Iranian navy is gone, their air force no longer exists, missiles, drones and everything else are being destroyed, and their leaders have disappeared from the face of the earth.”
Trump triggered by media reports
The Daily Beast further reported that Trump appeared to be triggered by reports on the “rising costs of conflict.” His government has also come under scrutiny over U.S. involvement in a strike at an all-girls primary school in Minapur. The matter remains under investigation.
Trump even lashed out at the New York Times after reporter Sean MacLeish asked Trump about the strike on Tuesday.
“You just suggested that Iran somehow got its hands on a tomahawk and bombed its own elementary school on the first day of the war,” McCleish told Trump.
“But you’re the only one in the government who says that. Even your defense secretary, standing over your shoulder on your plane on Saturday, wouldn’t say that when asked. Why are you the only one who says that?”
Trump angrily responded: “I just don’t know enough about it. I think it’s something that I’ve been told is being investigated.”
“We are completely destroying the terrorist regime in Iran militarily, economically and otherwise, and yet if you read the New York Times that failed, you would mistakenly believe that we are not winning,” Trump said on The Truth Society.
Pete Hegseth makes new claims about Iran’s supreme leader
Meanwhile, Iran’s new supreme leader, Moytaba Khamenei, was “injured and possibly disfigured,” Defense Minister Pete Hegseth said on Friday. He confirmed reports that Ali Khamenei’s son was injured on the first day of clashes.
“Iran’s leadership is not in better shape, desperate and in hiding. They have gone underground, cowering. That’s what rats do. We know the new so-called less supreme leader is injured and probably disfigured,” Hegseth told reporters.
Why Meghan Markle split from Netflix — insider reveals split details
As questions mount about the future of the Sussex brand and what it means for Prince Harry, industry insiders have weighed in on Meghan Markle’s recent split from Netflix. Last week it was announced that Meghan’s brand would be operating independently, just 11 months after her brand was partnered with Netflix. Since then, there have been conflicting reports as to why the collaboration ended, with both sides offering different explanations, according to Express .The source also seemed to suggest that Meghan felt “hindered” by Netflix and was relieved to be on her own. However, a source in Los Angeles told the Daily Mail that Netflix was “not happy” with the performance of “As Ever.”Speaking about other shows on the streaming service, they added: “It doesn’t quite match up with Squidward or Stranger Things or Bridgerton as much as they hoped.”Communications guru and PR expert Mayah Riaz now told The Mirror: “It’s really interesting because when you see two very different narratives surrounding the same split, it’s usually a sign that both parties are trying to manage the optics. In a high-profile partnership like this, perception is almost as important as the deal itself. Netflix will naturally want to position this decision as strategic, and Meghan’s team will certainly want to see it as her taking control of her brand, rather than being thrown out.”“From a PR perspective, Sussex brands have always relied heavily on momentum and narrative. Looking back to the early years, there was a strong global curiosity about them. Now we’re seeing a shift where both the public and the platforms are asking a simpler question: What is the actual product?”Speaking about the Sussexes as a couple and as a brand, she added: “I personally think the bigger issue for the Sussexes is that the element of intrigue that once surrounded them is not as strong as it once was. This is important because attention is currency, and attention spans can change quickly.“To keep their brands strong, these projects need to be bigger than the headlines. One thing is for sure, though: In the world of celebrity PR, when both parties are eager to explain a breakup, it means the story behind the scenes is more complicated than either version of the story suggests.”
India’s LPG crisis: How countries are coping with supply disruptions caused by Iran war and Hormuz crisis
Liquefied Petroleum Gas Shortage: Long queues continue to form outside LPG refilling stations and reservation centers as concerns over LPG shortages mount due to the ongoing Middle East conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.Iran has blocked the strategic Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the Feb. 28 conflict triggered by a U.S.-Israeli attack, raising concerns about fuel supply disruptions. The body of water is a critical chokepoint and accounts for about a fifth of the world’s oil supply.
Despite government assurances that there will be no shortages, these assurances have done little to calm public concerns. The issue has also resonated in parliament, with opposition parties accusing the government of downplaying the seriousness of the situation.
polling
Do you think panic buying is exacerbating the LPG supply problem?
Here’s how different states are dealing with LPG supply issues:delhiThe Delhi government has assured people that supplies of LPG, petrol, diesel and PNG are normal and urged them not to panic buy or hoard.A statement from the office of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said authorities are conducting strict checks to curb black marketing and hoarding of LPG cylinders.“The Ministry of Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs has deployed field officers to facilitate hassle-free booking and ensure compliance. Enforcement teams are conducting stringent inspections to curb black marketing and hoarding. We are maintaining strict vigilance to prevent diversion of household LPG cylinders for commercial purposes in restaurants and eateries,” the statement said.The government also informed people that the minimum interval for LPG refueling booking has been revised from 21 days to 25 days.“Despite this modification, consumers will receive refills on average two to three days from the date of booking. To streamline the process, the government is encouraging the use of digital platforms for bookings,” the statement added.MaharashtraThe Maharashtra government has directed oil companies to immediately fix technical glitches in LPG booking apps and missed call services to ensure residents can easily book gas cylinders.The state government further announced that control rooms will be set up at all levels promptly and WhatsApp facilities will be provided for complaint handling.However, public institutions will be prioritized for uninterrupted supply of LPG cylinders in view of the upcoming festive season.The government also directed authorities to seek assistance from local representatives and village committee members to prevent citizens from panicking.It also said that the responsibility of providing necessary protection to vehicles transporting LPG as well as gas agencies has been entrusted to the Police Department.uttar pradeshChief Minister Yogi Adityanath convened a review meeting and assured the public that there is no shortage of diesel, petrol and cooking gas in the state.The Chief Minister was informed that the supply system was functioning smoothly.After the meeting, Adityanath posted onHe also suggested the use of alternative fuels by communicating with hotels, hospitals, Dharamshala, hotels and various commercial establishments.According to the Chief Minister’s Office, police personnel will be deployed at LPG distribution centers to help maintain order.KarnatakaKarnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the state government will discuss LPG shortage in the cabinet meeting.“There are some issues with gas supply; there is no access to gas. This creates problems for everyone. People have to have all the facilities they need for food. We don’t know what will happen in the coming days,” he told reporters.Shivakumar urged the Center to take immediate action to resolve the issue, otherwise farmers in Karnataka will have to use firewood as an alternative.Meanwhile, the Karnataka Hotels Association has called for reallocation of some commercial LPG cylinders for commercial purposes to ensure that kitchens across Bengaluru continue to function smoothly.biharIn state capital Patna, District Magistrate Thiyagarajan SM said the administrative agency was working proactively to ensure that domestic LPG consumers do not face any inconvenience.“Any form of laxity, negligence or irregularity will not be tolerated. We have also issued instructions to immediately register an FIR and arrest the agency or individual concerned if a complaint of black marketing, hoarding or high-price sales is received,” he said.According to the district administration, bookings and deliveries are made through missed calls, SMS/IVRS, WhatsApp and OTP-based systems.The government has also issued a hotline number (0612-2219810) for seamless distribution and monitoring of LPG cylinder supply. The hotline will be open daily from 9am to 6pm to accept public complaints.Leaves for Block Supply Officers and Assistant District Supply Officers have been canceled till next order.The district administration has also set up 28 Quick Response Teams (QRT) to promptly resolve complaints related to supply of LPG cylinders.tamil naduChief Minister Stalin urged the public not to panic and ensure that the country has adequate fuel reserves.“The Tamil Nadu government will extend its full support to the Center in meeting any challenges posed by the international situation,” Stalin was quoted as saying in an official statement.He stressed that he had chaired a high-level review meeting and written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and concerned Union ministers on the shortage of cooking gas cylinders.The Tamil Nadu Petroleum Merchants Association also clarified that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel anywhere in the state. About 7,000 gas pumps across the state are regularly receiving fuel supplies, according to the agency.TelanganaCivil Supplies Minister N Uttam Reddy announced that the state government will meet representatives of oil marketing companies on Friday.He added that there has been no problem in the supply of LPG cylinders in the country so far.“In Telangana, domestic supply is 86 per cent and commercial supply is 14 per cent. So far, there is no problem with 86 per cent domestic supply. We have noticed some issues with commercial supply,” Reddy told reporters.Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao will also attend the meeting.Hyderabad Hotels Association president Ashok Reddy said hotels are trying to control the situation by utilizing existing stocks, while some others are using wood as fuel.(Institutional investment)
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