Name: Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary dies of heart attack during Bharat Jodo Yatra
Uploaded: 2023-01-14T09:46:53.000+05:30
Duration: T00M25S
Channel: Editorji News Desk
Description: Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary dies of heart attack during Bharat Jodo Yatra

The Election Commission has transferred five district election officers in Assam a day after announcing the assembly election schedule. The 126-member Assam Assembly will go to polls on April 9, with counting on May 4.

Election Commission transfers 5 DEOs of Assam

The Election Commission has transferred five district election officers in Assam a day after announcing the assembly election schedule. The 126-member Assam Assembly will go to polls on April 9, with counting on May 4.

The Election Commission on Monday transferred five District Election Officers (DEOs) of Assam, a day after the announcement of the assembly poll schedule.
The DEOs of Kokrajhar, Majuli, Baksa, Chirang and Udalguri have been transferred with immediate effect.
In a letter sent to Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, the EC replaced DEO of Kokrajhar Pankaj Chakrabaorty with Dr P Uday Praveen, Majuli's Ratul Pathak with Srishti Singh and Baksa's Dhiraj Saud with Kimnei Changsan.
Chirang DEO Gakul Chandra Brahma has been replaced by Madhusudan Nath, and Udalguri's Pulak Patgiri by Jay Vikas.&nbsp;
The elections to the 126-member Assam assembly will be held on April 9. Votes will be counted on May 4.&nbsp;

Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the government over the ongoing LPG crisis in Rajya Sabha, accusing it of failing to plan ahead. Union Minister J P Nadda hit back, alleging the Congress was trying to create panic and politicise the issue.

Kharge says LPG crisis due to govt's lack of planning, BJP accuses Congress of creating anarchy

Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the government over the ongoing LPG crisis in Rajya Sabha, accusing it of failing to plan ahead. Union Minister J P Nadda hit back, alleging the Congress was trying to create panic and politicise the issue.

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday held the government responsible for the current LPG crisis by not taking preemptive measures, evoking a sharp counter from Union Minister J P Nadda, who accused the Congress of trying to create anarchy in the country and indulging in politics instead.
Raising the matter during the Zero Hour in the House, Kharge accused the government of not doing advance planning and making alternative arrangements for LPG imports as the government "knew" that the West Asia crisis could impact critical maritime routes and energy supplies.
Rebutting him strongly, Nadda, who is also Leader of the House, accused opposition parties, especially Congress, of not standing with the people but of instigating them.
"The LPG crisis has caused widespread panic across the entire nation. Its impact is severely affecting the poor and vulnerable sections, the middle class, ordinary households, restaurants, hostels, and commercial users," Kharge said.
India imports nearly 60 per cent of its total LPG requirements. Of this, 90 per cent of imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. From this perspective, Kharge said the current situation has become a matter of serious concern for both domestic availability and price stability.
He said the effects of the LPG crisis are being felt in nearly every part of the country, and people in households are distressed.
Kharge sought to highlight that small roadside eateries, restaurants, hostels &mdash; all are impacted. From community kitchens to Ram Rasoi, everything has shut down. Not just homes &mdash; MSMEs and other commercial users are facing severe difficulties in obtaining LPG cylinders.
"It is concerning that many establishments have limited or completely halted their operations. Some are purchasing at exorbitant rates, over Rs 5,000 per cylinder," the senior Congress leader claimed.
Kharge further said that the Union Petroleum Minister had claimed in the Lok Sabha that there is no shortage of LPG and called for caution against rumours.
"But the ground reality proves the government's claims wrong," he added.
He said that when the government was issuing advisories to Indian citizens in Iran that the situation could worsen, it should have clearly stated that this could also impact critical maritime routes and energy supplies, and should have taken steps in advance.
"Government very well knew that a crisis was impending at the Strait of Hormuz. The situation would not have been that bad had advance planning and alternative arrangements for LPG imports done in advance," Kharge said.
He said the waiting period for cylinder bookings in the country has also been extended, now 25 days in cities and 45 days in villages/remote areas.
This has triggered panic booking and increased the likelihood of hoarding, he said.
The Congress leader questioned why the government did not take stringent measures if it knew that the LPG crisis in the country would escalate.
"Why didn't it take the people and opposition in confidence? This crisis exposes the government's dismal management and flawed foreign policy," he said, and demanded a discussion on the issue.
While Kharge was making his remarks, Chairman C P Radhakrishnan repeatedly asked him to conclude as only three minutes are allowed to a speaker during the Zero Hour. However, the Chair allowed him extra time.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had given a detailed response on the issue in the Lok Sabha, but Congress members did not hear him out.
The Minister said Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was given the floor in the Lower House to speak on the issue, but he spoke on other things instead.
Nadda lamented that the Opposition, especially the Congress, is not hesitating to indulge in politics even during times of crisis.
He said the current West Asia conflict is not due to India and has no contribution.
The senior BJP leader said a Congress leader has also been caught hoarding LPG cylinders.
"They are resorting to hoarding of cylinders. They are instigating people. They are inciting the peaceful people of the country, and this is very unfortunate that even in such a situation, they are indulging in politics.
"Instead of standing with the country, they are trying to create anarchy...This is condemnable," Nadda added.

The Aam Aadmi Party’s Gujarat unit has announced it will contest all 12,000 seats in the upcoming local body elections, with candidate screening underway across seven zones.

AAP Gujarat announces plan to contest all 12,000 seats in local body elections

The Aam Aadmi Party&rsquo;s Gujarat unit has announced it will contest all 12,000 seats in the upcoming local body elections, with candidate screening underway across seven zones.

The Aam Aadmi Party&rsquo;s Gujarat unit has announced that it plans to contest all 12,000 seats in the upcoming local self-government elections in the state, including those for municipalities, taluka panchayats, district panchayats and municipal corporations.
The announcement was made during a press conference organised by the party&rsquo;s state election committee under the chairmanship of state president Isudan Gadhvi.
Several party leaders were present at the press conference, including MLAs Gopal Italia and Chaitar Vasava, state organisation general secretary Manoj Sorathiya, general secretary Rakesh Hirpara, national joint secretary Raju Solanki, frontal organisation state president Pravin Ram and frontal organisation state general secretary Samat Gadhvi.
Speaking at the briefing, Gadhvi said the party has divided the state into seven zones for election preparations and has formed zone-level election committees in each zone. According to him, each committee includes a zone president, central zone president, observer and assembly in-charges.
He said these teams conducted interviews of prospective candidates from constituencies under 26 Lok Sabha seats between the 10th and 15th.
Gadhvi added that discussions have now begun regarding candidates under A-grade, B-grade and C-grade categories. The state election committee will hold discussions from the 16th to the 18th on the names received from the different zones.
He said that the party will announce its candidates after the completion of these discussions.
Gadhvi also stated that the party will contest all seats in municipalities, taluka panchayats, district panchayats and municipal corporations. He said many people have expressed interest in joining the party and contesting elections, adding that the party has adopted what he described as an &ldquo;Open to All&rdquo; system for candidate selection.
According to him, applications have been received from social workers, political leaders and party workers, and discussions will also be held regarding these candidates.
He further said the candidate screening process will continue for three days, after which the first list of candidates will be announced.
During the press conference, Gadhvi also referred to the by-election for the Umreth Assembly seat, which became vacant following the death of the sitting MLA. He said the party will hold discussions with state and national leadership before taking a decision regarding the by-election.

IndiGo will impose fuel charges ranging from Rs 425 to Rs 2,300 on domestic and international tickets from March 14 due to a sharp rise in jet fuel prices triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict.

IndiGo to levy fuel charge for domestic, international flights from March 14

IndiGo will impose fuel charges ranging from Rs 425 to Rs 2,300 on domestic and international tickets from March 14 due to a sharp rise in jet fuel prices triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict.

IndiGo will start levying fuel charges ranging from Rs 425 to Rs 2,300 on domestic and international flight tickets from March 14 amid the steep surge in jet fuel prices due to the ongoing war between the US, Israel and Iran.
The move will increase the airfares.
For domestic flights and those within the Indian subcontinent, the fuel charge will be Rs 425, while it will be Rs 900 for the Middle East services, the airline said in a statement on Friday.
The fuel charge will be Rs 1,800 for South East Asia and China, Africa and West Asia flights, and Rs 2,300 for Europe flights.
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) accounts for nearly 40 per cent of an airline's operational costs.
While announcing the introduction of the fuel charge, the airline said the measure has been taken due to the significant surge in fuel prices following the ongoing geopolitical issues in the Middle East.
"While offsetting the entire impact of this fuel price surge requires a very substantial adjustment to fares, IndiGo has introduced a relatively smaller amount as a fuel charge, keeping in mind the consequential burden on customers," the airline said.
On March 10, Air India and Air India Express announced fuel surcharges on tickets.

The government assured uninterrupted LPG supply to households despite panic bookings and urged around 60 lakh homes near piped natural gas networks to shift to PNG connections for convenience amid the West Asia crisis.

Govt warns LPG hoarders of action; urges users to switch to piped cooking gas

The government assured uninterrupted LPG supply to households despite panic bookings and urged around 60 lakh homes near piped natural gas networks to shift to PNG connections for convenience amid the West Asia crisis.

The government on Friday said it is ensuring an uninterrupted supply of cooking gas to households amid a surge in panic bookings, and advised around 60 lakh households located near piped natural gas (PNG) networks to consider switching to piped connections for convenience.
It warned hoarders and black marketers of strict action if they try to exploit the crisis created by the war in West Asia.
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, at a media briefing, said fears of a shortage have led to a spike in LPG cylinder bookings in recent days, even though supplies remain adequate across the country.
She maintained that LPG distributors have sufficient stocks and that supply chains are functioning normally. Consumers were urged to avoid panic booking or queuing up at LPG dealerships. They should place refill orders using online modes only when required.
While supplies to household kitchens, as well as essential sectors like hospitals and educational institutions, were prioritised and provided uninterrupted LPG, supplies to commercial establishments like hotels and restaurants were curtailed as the war in West Asia impacted energy sourcing from overseas.
With domestic production rising by 30 per cent since March 5, when the government took certain measures like diverting streams in refineries to maximise cooking gas output, the Centre has placed a fifth of the commercial gas supplies with the state governments and UTs. The states have been given the authority to decide on the priority for such supplies, she said.
Citing instances of state governments taking actions against LPG hoarders and black marketers, Sharma said the top officials in the ministries of petroleum and civil supplies have held meetings with civil supplies departments of states and UTs to make them aware of the ground situation.
They have been asked to crack down on hoarders and black marketers.
She cited suspension of petrol pump dealerships in a case in Tamil Nadu where it was found dispensing fuel in jerrycans. More such actions will follow, she said.
"Average refill booking in the country is 55.7 lakh cylinders per day. But (since the crisis broke out about two weeks back), there has been a sudden surge. There were 75.7 lakh bookings for refills done on March 12... This is nothing but panic buying," she said.
"We were delivering 50 lakh cylinders daily previously and continue to maintain that number."
The country has 33.37 crore LPG users and another 1.5 crore get cooking fuel piped into their kitchens (called piped natural gas).
She said households located close to existing PNG infrastructure could benefit from switching to piped cooking gas, which offers a continuous supply and reduces dependence on cylinder bookings and delivery cycles.
While LPG supplies had been constrained by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz - the narrow sea lane used by Gulf countries to export oil and gas to users like India, the supply of PNG has continued uninterrupted.
"There are about 60 lakh households near the PNG infrastructure that can avail PNG connections. They should get in touch with the city gas operators to avail of such connections," she said.
Encouraging such consumers to shift to PNG would also help ease pressure on LPG distribution, allowing authorities to prioritise cylinder supplies for households that do not have access to piped gas networks.
Giving details of the inventory situation, Sharma said the country had enough stocks of crude oil and has been able to tap alternate sources to replace the ones that were lost in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Refineries are operating at full capacity, none of the over one lakh petrol pumps in the country has faced a dry out, and LPG dealerships are well stocked with no dryouts, she said, adding that natural gas supplies have been prioritised to the household and transport sector, thereby maintaining supplies to essential sectors.
She urged LPG users to book refills online and not crowd at dealerships.
"We are facing a difficult situation (arising from war in West Asia). LPG supplies to commercial establishments were stopped, but now stocks will be placed at the disposal of the state governments, who will decide on the priority for their distribution," she said.
"We are not able to service all commercial users for the time being."
She reiterated that there is no shortage of gas for household users. "There is no need for panic booking, no need for queuing."

The government said LPG supply to households remains uninterrupted and urged people not to panic book cylinders, even as bookings surged amid the West Asia conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Govt ensures uninterrupted LPG supply to households, says no need for panic booking

The government said LPG supply to households remains uninterrupted and urged people not to panic book cylinders, even as bookings surged amid the West Asia conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The government on Friday said uninterrupted LPG supply to households has been ensured, and there is no need for panic booking for cylinders.
Briefing the media, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the domestic production of LPG has already increased by 30 per cent since March 5.
"There is no need for panic booking, and there has been no dry out at any LPG dealer," Sharma added.
LPG bookings have surged to 75.7 lakh against an average of 55.7 lakh in the pre-war period, "showing panic booking", she said.
The West Asia conflict has impacted the supply of crude oil and petroleum products, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage of water between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most critical energy transit routes.
The narrow, 50-mile-long passage that connects the Gulf with the Arabian Sea carries about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
India imports roughly 88 per cent of its crude oil, 50 per cent of its LNG needs and 60 per cent of its LPG requirement, most of which transits through the strait.
The widening conflict in West Asia, which began on February 28 when the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran, followed by retaliatory attacks from Tehran, has stopped energy flows through the strait.

Panic buying of petrol and LPG led to long queues across India amid fears of a fuel shortage linked to the West Asia crisis, while the government assured Parliament that supplies remain adequate.

Fuel panic spreads: Queues at pumps, LPG outlets while govt denies shortage

Panic buying of petrol and LPG led to long queues across India amid fears of a fuel shortage linked to the West Asia crisis, while the government assured Parliament that supplies remain adequate.

People queued up at petrol stations and domestic LPG outlets amid panic buying across the country over a perceived paucity of fuel, even as the government told Parliament on Thursday that there was no shortage of petrol, diesel and kerosene due to the West Asia crisis and it was not the time for rumour-mongering.
The Uttarakhand government decided to provide commercial gas cylinders to hospitals and educational institutions on priority and began preparations to provide wood for commercial use if needed.
Eateries and quick-service restaurant chains, which rely heavily on commercial LPG cylinders to run kitchen operations, fear that restrictions on fuel supply to them could disrupt operations and drive input cost inflation.
Several eateries across the country have been forced to trim their operations.
The Tamil Nadu Hotels Association said small and medium-sized restaurants in the southern state were badly hit, with many iconic establishments in Chennai forced to stop serving fuel-intensive dishes such as dosas and fried rice to conserve their dwindling gas stocks.
Speaking to PTI, a restaurant owner in Delhi said, "There is a shortage of cylinders. Even double the price, around Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000, is not enough."
He added that his eatery requires at least three cylinders every day.
In West Bengal, officials said the "shortage" of cooking gas cylinders had begun to affect midday meals in schools across the state, forcing authorities to adopt alternative fuels such as firewood or serving limited food items to students.
The Assam police warned people of strict action against those spreading rumours about a shortage of LPG and other fuels, a day after the chief secretary asserted that local refineries can meet only about 30 per cent of the state's demand for the cooking fuel.
The government has formed a media monitoring committee to track rumours, misinformation and misleading reports that may create panic among consumers.
The fear of fuel shortage has triggered panic buying and allegations of black marketing of gas cylinders.
In the national capital, police officials have been directed to prepare a list of gas agencies in their jurisdictions and deploy personnel to maintain law and order in view of the ongoing problem of LPG supply in the city.
"The sole motive is to maintain law and order and avoid any kind of black marketing. We want to ensure that people receive LPG cylinders through the proper distribution system," an officer said.
In Kolkata, police launched a crackdown on alleged black marketing of LPG cylinders, a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed the authorities to ensure strict monitoring to prevent such pilferage.
The rush has also overwhelmed the booking systems of oil marketing companies, with distributors reporting repeated server crashes due to the surge in refill requests.
In West Bengal, the average daily bookings for Indane LPG cylinders have nearly doubled to around two lakh from about one lakh earlier, distributors said.
"This is panic buying," said Bijan Biswas, spokesperson for the Indane LPG Distributors' Association in Bengal.
"Many people are afraid they might not get another cylinder soon, and that has led to this crisis."
Catering and marriage service units have also been hit hard.
A spokesperson of a leading catering service provider in Puducherry told PTI that he was not taking orders for small functions as he had to fulfil the orders booked by big parties like marriages.
He expressed fear about not being able to meet the orders in the future as the available stock of commercial cylinders was shrinking.
In Delhi, a city known for its wedding feasts, characterised by giant cauldrons of biryani and endless live cooking stations, planners and caterers warn that ongoing supply disruptions and rising prices of commercial LPG cylinders might lead to an increase in wedding catering costs by approximately 10 to 20 per cent if the situation persists.
This warning comes as restaurants and commercial kitchens in various parts of the city report irregular LPG supplies, prompting vendors who organise large wedding events to monitor the situation closely ahead of upcoming ceremonies.
"Caterers for weddings and large events need substantial commercial cylinders for bulk cooking and live stations. Many vendors report that their stock lasts only two to four days, so we are already witnessing discussions about simpler menus, fewer live cooking options, and price hikes of around 10 to 15 per cent being passed on to clients," explained Mohsin Khan, a planner with Vivah Luxury Weddings.

Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the reported LPG shortage, alleging the PM is asking people not to panic while avoiding Parliament.

PM asking people not to panic but is himself panicked for different reasons: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the reported LPG shortage, alleging the PM is asking people not to panic while avoiding Parliament.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid concerns over reported LPG shortage, saying the PM is asking the people not to panic but is himself panicked for "completely different reasons".
Gandhi alleged that the prime minister is panicked because of the Epstein files issue and the Adani Case in the US.
He made the remarks after several opposition MPs, including himself and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex over the shortage of commercial LPG cylinders to demand answers from the government over it.
Speaking with reporters after the protest, Gandhi said, "The PM is saying there is no need to panic, but the PM himself has panicked for completely different reasons... he is panicked because of Epstein, he is panicked because of the Adani case, he is not able to come inside the House."
"You saw yesterday that the prime minister's chair was empty. So, he is telling the country not to panic but has panicked himself," Gandhi added.
In a Facebook post in Hindi after the protest, Gandhi said,"Sansad mein Narenra gayab, desh mein cylinder gayab".
Several opposition MPs from the Congress, DMK, TMC and SP, among others, staged a protest near Parliament's Makar Dwar, raising slogans such as 'Naam Narender, Kaam Surrender' and 'Modi ji, LPG'.
The women opposition MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi, sat down with a mock brick cooking stove and raised slogans against the government.
In a post on X in Hindi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "When the country is grappling with a severe crisis, Prime Minister Modi ji is engrossed in election tours.
"There is a severe shortage of LPG across the country, and people are standing in queues. Countless small and large industries are being forced to bear the consequences of the BJP's failure. But the government has no answers. Only false claims," he said.
The failure of diplomacy is a serious issue, and the result of the mismanagement of energy is being borne today by the 1.4 billion people of the country, he claimed.
"Narendra Modi ji, bahut hui 'Mann ki Baat, zara sansad mein aa kar kariye 'mudde ki baat' (Enough of 'Mann Ki Baat', come to Parliament and talk on real issues)," the Congress chief said.
With the House being adjourned shortly after meeting at 11 am amid sloganeering by the opposition demanding a discussion on the West Asia situation, Gandhi sat with suspended opposition MPs on the steps of the Makar Dwar and had tea with them.
The opposition has been demanding a full-fledged discussion on the West Asia situation and its impact on India.
Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday appealed to people not to panic and assured them that public interest will be protected. He expressed confidence in tackling the LPG crisis, where the short supply of commercial LPG has crippled the country's hotel sector.
From induction cooktops and microwaves to firewood and solar options, restaurants, street food vendors, and catering businesses across the country are scrambling for alternatives as a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders begins to disrupt kitchens amid the widening conflict in West Asia.
With the government prioritising domestic cooking gas supply to households as the war disrupts global fuel lifelines, businesses dependent on commercial LPG -- from small eateries to high-end restaurants -- are watching the situation anxiously, with some even staring at possible closure in the days to come.
In the national capital Delhi, irregular LPG supply has gripped kitchens across the city, and many restaurants are left with stock for a day or two, fearing temporary closure and concerns over staff wages. Industry representatives say many eateries in the capital are trying to manage the situation through adjustments.
Amid the growing concerns, the government and oil companies have sought to reassure the people that domestic LPG cylinders remain secure.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor said India and the United States must work closely to maintain global energy market stability, as political debate continues in India over Russian oil purchases and US policy decisions.

US envoy Gor hails India as 'great partner' in stabilising oil prices amid West Asia crisis

US Ambassador Sergio Gor said India and the United States must work closely to maintain global energy market stability, as political debate continues in India over Russian oil purchases and US policy decisions.

India is one of the largest consumers and refiners of crude oil and it is essential for New Delhi and Washington to work "hand-in-hand" to ensure stability of the energy market, US ambassador Sergio Gor said on Wednesday.
His reconciliatory overture came as the Congress maintained pressure on the government, alleging that Washington influences India's energy policy.
The opposition party has been targeting the government after the US provided a 30-day waiver for Indian refiners to purchases Russian crude oil in view of the disruptions in the energy market following the West Asia crisis.
"India has been a great partner in maintaining stable oil prices around the world. The United States recognizes ongoing purchases of Russian oil are a part of this effort," the US ambassador said.
"India is one of the largest consumers and refiners of oil and it is essential for the United States and India to work hand in hand for market stability for Americans and Indians," he said on social media.
The Congress on Wednesday took a fresh swipe at the BJP-led government after White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in Washington that the US has "temporarily permitted" India to procure Russian oil.
President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the whole national security team "came to this decision because our allies in India have been good actors and have previously stopped buying sanctioned Russian oil", Leavitt told a press conference on Tuesday.
The US last week said it was issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil in the backdrop of the escalating West Asia conflict.
Trump, while announcing a trade deal with New Delhi last month, claimed India has agree to not procure crude oil from Russia.
In an executive order, Trump had rolled back an additional 25 per cent tariffs on India that he imposed last August regarding India's procurement of crude oil from Russia.
In the order, the US said it would monitor whether India resumed Russian oil purchases directly or indirectly and that would determine whether a 25 per cent tariff would again be re-impose.
India has been maintaining that it will procure oil from multiple sources and diversify them to ensure stability in the supply chain with national interests remaining the "guiding factor" for the procurement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens not to panic over LPG supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, urging people to rely only on verified information while addressing an NDA rally in Tamil Nadu.

Energy crisis: No need to panic or pay attention to rumours, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens not to panic over LPG supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, urging people to rely only on verified information while addressing an NDA rally in Tamil Nadu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to the people not to pay attention to rumours or panic in the wake of the LPG supply disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia, and urged that only verified information be disseminated.
The PM's comments come in the wake of the commercial LPG short supply that has affected the hotel industry across the country and opposition criticism over the issue and also amidst fears of a possible shortage of or spurt in prices of petrol and diesel in the coming days.
Addressing a mega NDA poll rally in Tiruchirappalli, the PM also slammed the DMK rule in Tamil Nadu and said that people wanted a government that worked for every family, and not just for one family.
"I would like to appeal to people, let us only spread correct, verified information," he said, apparently referring to the LPG crisis triggered by the supply disruption due to the conflict between US-Israel and Iran that has affected the Gulf region.
The conflict has affected whole world's energy supply chain, he said.
"There is no need to panic or pay attention to rumours," he said.
"In any situation, we have seen how our government always puts interests of India above everything."
He said he was confident that as a nation, "we will navigate every situation successfully."
Sharpening his attack against the DMK, he said, "In DMK rule, everything starts and ends with one family..."
"In 2021, people of TN brought DMK to power; and instead of taking it as a responsibility, they have betrayed the mandate."
People know that NDA could bring change in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister said, addressing the massive rally of the opposition bloc, here, the third one for the state since January 23.
The AIADMK heads the National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu and its constituents include the BJP, PMK and AMMK.
Further, just like all rivers go to sea, all corrupt money in the state goes to one family, he said, targeting the DMK regime.
The Dravidian party was infamous for its "scientific corruption model," he alleged.
Mounting a blistering attack on the ruling DMK dispensation, Modi said that "today same scientific graft model is used to make Tamil Nadu an ATM for one family."
The DMK was "infamous for their scientific corruption" model, he said retorting to party president and Chief Minister M K Stalin's refrain on the Dravidian model of governance, and alleged that "ministers may change, MLAs may change, but power remains only with one dynasty."
Targeting DMK in the cash for jobs scam, he said when jobs were sold for money, the dreams of the middle class and poor were destroyed.
"The whole of Tamil Nadu has made up its mind to throw out DMK regime," Modi said.
On the international airport status for Madurai, he said the Centre brought the world to the doorstep of the city.
Also, he underscored a new terminal for Tiruchirappalli airport, which is 'modern, also fully immersed in culture of TN.'
He could feel the pulse of the state very clearly that a desire for change was gaining huge momentum.
He took a keen interest in connecting with Tamil people, and when it came to respecting TN and its culture, the Centre has always been at the forefront.
It was a matter of pride that C P Radhakrishnan, a son of TN, has become the Vice-President.
Recalling his "divine experience" in the city two years ago, he said it was a privilege to be among the people again in Tiruchirappalli, "a land of courage and faith."
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran, AMMK founder TTV Dhinakaran and PMK leader Dr Anbumani Ramadoss among others participated.

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Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary dies of heart attack during Bharat Jodo Yatra

Congress MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh dies of heart attack during Bharat Jodo Yatra

Congress MP Chaudhary Santokh Singh dies
Singh&nbsp;passed away during Bharat&nbsp;Jodo&nbsp;Yatra
 Punjab CM confirms in a Tweet

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann confirmed the tragic incident in a Twitter post.

Congress MP Santokh Singh Chaudhary passed away after suffering a heart attack during Bharat Jodo Yatra on Saturday, as per the ANI.
76-year-old politician was rushed to the hospital after he complained of uneasiness in Punjab&rsquo;s Phillaur, however, he was declared brought dead.&nbsp;
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann confirmed the tragic incident in a Twitter post.
The Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed on Saturday in Punjab after a one day break Friday.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

India’s LPG supply remains under pressure due to disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, though panic bookings have started to decline. The government continues to prioritise household consumption while restricting supply to commercial users.

LPG crunch continues, supplies rationalised for commercial users

India&rsquo;s LPG supply remains under pressure due to disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, though panic bookings have started to decline. The government continues to prioritise household consumption while restricting supply to commercial users.

LPG supply crunch continued for the third straight week on Friday, but there was some easing in bookings for refills, in signs of things slowly crawling towards normalcy.
However, concerns persist as supply restrictions on commercial consumers, including hotels, remain in place due to ongoing disruptions in input supplies caused by the West Asia conflict.
The war in the Middle East, triggered by the US and Israel attacks on Iran, has led to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz -- the critical shipping lane through which India gets 60 per cent of its imports.
The overnight wiping away of such large volumes led to the government prioritising supplies to domestic household kitchens.
Supplies to commercial establishments were initially stopped, but later restored to a fifth of their requirement.
This triggered panic buying by domestic users, fearing that the availability of their gas cylinders too may be rationalised.
Panic booking peaked at 87.7 lakh on March 13 but fell thereafter.
At a media briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said on March 19, around 55 lakh bookings were made, down from 57 lakh on the previous day.
Pre-war average booking per day was 50-55 lakh.
"Panic booking is coming down," she said, adding that the government continues to prioritise the supply of available LPG to domestic households.
However, "LPG (supply) situation remains worrisome, but there is no dry out at any LPG distributor," she said.
She said in the last week, 11,300 tonnes of commercial LPG were given to commercial establishments.
Sharma said domestic LPG production has increased by over 40 per cent in the last two weeks, and the three public sector oil marketing companies have been making normal, pre-war levels of daily deliveries of LPG refills.
"LPG cylinder delivery continues to be normal," she said.
To curb black marketing and hoarding, raids and surprise inspections continue.
As many as 4,500 raids were conducted on Friday, while oil companies conducted 1,800 surprise inspections of petrol pumps and LPG distributorships.
State governments have been asked to set up monitoring and enforcement, she said.
"Situation is still worrisome, but we are maintaining supplies at a normal level for domestic users," she said.
Asking consumers to wait for home delivery of their refill after booking, she said they should also explore alternate fuels to ease pressure on cooking gas LPG.
In addition, customers near a city gas network are being encouraged to shift to piped natural gas - a convenient alternative to LPG as the fuel continuously travels through pipes to household kitchens without the botheration of refill bookings.
In 15 geographical areas (GAs), 13,700 connections have been given, and 7,000 consumers have shifted from LPG to piped natural gas (PNG).
Besides, alternate fuels such as kerosene are being promoted, she said, adding commercial LPG stocks have been placed with states for using them as per their priority list.

Security has been intensified across Delhi ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with heavy police deployment, surveillance, and special measures in sensitive areas following tensions linked to the Uttam Nagar killing incident.

Delhi on high alert ahead of Eid; heavy security in Dwarka

Security has been intensified across Delhi ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with heavy police deployment, surveillance, and special measures in sensitive areas following tensions linked to the Uttam Nagar killing incident.

With Eid-ul-Fitr a day away, security has been stepped up across Southwest Delhi's Dwarka district, as the Uttam Nagar area remains tense after the March 4 killing.
Police said more than 100 pickets have been set up, with personnel deployed on rooftops and at key junctions to maintain a close watch on movement in sensitive pockets.
Security has been tightened around the Uttam Nagar East metro station following directions from the Delhi High Court after apprehensions of unrest during the festival.
"We have made detailed deployment plans and are ready to respond swiftly to any situation," an officer said.
The HC order was passed on a PIL filed by a civil rights group, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, which approached the high court to prevent "imminent communal violence" on Eid in Uttam Nagar.
A civil society group comprising eminent Muslims wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday over "open threats" to the Muslim community in Uttam Nagar, and urged him to pass special instructions to the police to take strict action.
Meanwhile, force has been mounted in Hastsal village, where the killing took place, and nearby areas, with joint deployment of Delhi Police and central armed forces.
On March 4, the day of Holi, Tarun, 26, was killed in a clash between two neighbouring families in Uttam Nagar's JJ Colony.
The altercation, police said, was triggered after a water balloon thrown by a girl from one family accidentally hit a woman from the other.
The incident led to protests by some groups, and two vehicles linked to the accused were set on fire.
The police have so far apprehended 14 people, including two minors, in connection with the case.
The police said security focus has been sharpened around mosques, Eidgahs and other places of congregation where large crowds are expected.
Area domination exercises, including foot patrols and vehicle checks, are being carried out regularly.
Monitoring of social media has also been intensified to track and curb the spread of inflammatory content, the police said, adding that several objectionable posts have already been flagged and acted upon.
"Delhi Police has put in place comprehensive security arrangements to ensure that Eid is celebrated in a safe, peaceful and harmonious environment across the city," the city force said on X.
The police said that any attempt to disturb public peace and communal harmony will attract legal action.
"Let us celebrate responsibly and contribute to maintaining peace and unity," the statement added.
Areas with mixed populations have been categorised as sensitive and are under constant watch.
Apart from ground deployment, police teams have been positioned at elevated points in select locations to enhance surveillance.
Police presence notwithstanding, unease persists among locals.
Pradeep Shukla, president of the Uttam Nagar RWA, said the visible security presence has brought a sense of control, but anxiety remains.
"There is heavy barricading, and movement has reduced. It feels unusually quiet. People are still worried, but we are hoping things remain peaceful," he said.

India strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrike on a Kabul hospital that reportedly killed over 400 people, calling it a blatant assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace.

India 'unequivocally' condemns Pakistan's 'barbaric' airstrike on Kabul rehab centre

India strongly condemned Pakistan&rsquo;s airstrike on a Kabul hospital that reportedly killed over 400 people, calling it a blatant assault on Afghanistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace.

India on Tuesday "unequivocally" condemned Pakistan's "barbaric" airstrike on a drug treatment centre in Kabul and described it as a "blatant assault" on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a threat to regional peace and stability.
In a strong reaction to the last night's attack that reportedly killed over 400 people, New Delhi accused Pakistan of trying to "dress up a massacre as a military operation."
It said the strike reflects Islamabad's persistent pattern of "reckless behaviour" and its repeated attempts to "externalise internal failures."
Afghan media reported that over 400 people were killed and more than 250 others injured in the Pakistani airstrikes on the Omid Addiction Treatment hospital.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India "unequivocally condemns Pakistan's barbaric airstrike" on the hospital in Kabul.
"This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target," it said.
The MEA said Pakistan is now trying to "dress up a massacre as a military operation."
"This heinous act of aggression by Pakistan is also a blatant assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability," it said in a statement.
"It reflects Pakistan's persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its repeated attempts to externalize internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence beyond its borders," it said.
New Delhi said the international community must hold the perpetrators of the criminal act accountable and ensure that Pakistan's "wanton targeting" of civilians in Afghanistan ceases without delay.
"That this attack was carried out during the holy month of Ramzan, a time of peace, reflection, and mercy among Muslim communities across the world, makes it all the more reprehensible," the MEA said.
"There is no faith, no law, and no morality that can justify the deliberate targeting of a hospital and its patients," it said.
The MEA said India extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this "tragic moment," it said.
"We also reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan," it added.
The latest Pakistani strikes came as Operation Ghazab lil Haq, launched on February 26, continued, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Pakistan said it launched the military offensive in response to alleged attacks by the Afghan Taliban forces along the 2,600-km-long border.

The Centre told the Bombay High Court it is taking all necessary domestic and international steps to tackle LPG shortages amid the West Asia conflict, prompting the court to dispose of a petition by distributors.

Attempts underway on domestic, international fronts to address LPG shortage: Centre tells HC

The Centre told the Bombay High Court it is taking all necessary domestic and international steps to tackle LPG shortages amid the West Asia conflict, prompting the court to dispose of a petition by distributors.

The central government on Tuesday assured the Bombay High Court that it is making all attempts on domestic and international fronts to address the hardship caused by the LPG shortage amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The Nagpur bench of the court accepted the Centre's submission and disposed of the petition filed by LPG distributors, noting that it is taking "all the necessary steps in the matter to protect the interests of individuals".
The court on March 12 issued notices to the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and a private firm in connection with a petition filed by six LPG distributors seeking an increased supply of domestic cooking gas cylinders amid the energy crisis caused by the Iran war.
The court also directed that the storage and supply of LPG for domestic consumption shall be in accordance with the prevailing policy.
The petitioners claimed that the Nagpur-headquartered Confidence Petroleum India Ltd had failed to increase the supply of household LPG cylinders despite the Centre's directive prioritising domestic distribution.
The petition, filed through advocates Shyam Dewani and Sahil Dewani, claimed that the war had disrupted global crude supply, leading to constraints in LPG production.
Following this, the ministry had directed that LPG production and supply to domestic consumers be given priority.
Union government's Under Secretary (LPG) Ramesh Krishna submitted an affidavit in the Nagpur bench of the high court, informing that the Centre was making all possible attempts domestically and internationally to ensure that no hardship is caused to anyone and the distribution and availability remains smooth.
It also said that there are emerging changes in the international position and the government of India is monitoring the situation and taking all remedial measures to ensure that such crises at the international level may not affect our country.
The situation under such circumstances always remains ever-evolving and it would essentially be for the central government to take steps domestically and internationally in the interest of its citizens, the affidavit said.
By the very nature of the subject matter, it may not be desirable to discuss or debate these issues in the court proceedings, it added.
The Centre submitted that if there are any local issues which may be the result of an individual dereliction of duty or breach of law of any wholesale or retail distributor, strict actions are being taken and shall continue to be taken by the competent authority.
"Considering the nature of the subject matter and its impact which is not confined to jurisdictions of few districts, it is desirable that the court may be pleased to leave it to the Union of India and the respective state governments to deal with the situation to the best manner in the large public interest," the affidavit said.
The central government, with its assurances and undertaking, requested the court to close the proceedings along with the suo motu proceedings.
Advocate Dewani told PTI that the central government submitted an affidavit in the HC.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing via video-conference, informed the court that it was making all attempts on domestic and international levels to address the hardship caused by the shortage of LPG.
Steps are being taken to ensure that the international crisis does not affect India, he said.
Urging the court to dispose of the petition by LPG dealers who claimed that exports were being prioritised over domestic supply, Mehta said negotiations are being held at the diplomatic level.
"The court can consider closing this (petition) trusting the government. Individual issues can be taken up by the state government," he said.
The bench said, "In view of the statement made in the Centre's affidavit, it is evident that the government is taking all the necessary steps in the matter to protect the interests of individuals. In that view of the matter, nothing survives in this petition."

The Mamata Banerjee–Suvendu Adhikari rivalry shifts to Bhabanipur, turning the constituency into the epicentre of West Bengal’s 2026 election battle, with voter roll revisions adding a new political dimension.

Mamata vs Suvendu: Bhabanipur set for ‘mother of all electoral battles’ in repeat of 2021 rivalry

The Mamata Banerjee&ndash;Suvendu Adhikari rivalry shifts to Bhabanipur, turning the constituency into the epicentre of West Bengal&rsquo;s 2026 election battle, with voter roll revisions adding a new political dimension.

The political rivalry in Nandigram that defined West Bengal&rsquo;s 2021 assembly polls is set to return to centre stage in a new arena, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee locking horns with her protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, turning the Kolkata seat into the likely epicentre of the 2026 electoral battle.
With the TMC supremo contesting from Bhabanipur and the BJP fielding Leader of Opposition Adhikari against her, the contest has quickly acquired the character of a prestige fight -- not merely for a seat in the Assembly but for political supremacy in a state where the rivalry between the two leaders has come to symbolise the broader TMC-BJP confrontation.
In the 2021 polls, Adhikari stunned Banerjee in Nandigram by a slim margin of 1,956 votes, a defeat that forced the CM to subsequently enter the Assembly through a by-election from Bhabanipur, a seat considered her stronghold.
Five years later, the duel has been relocated to that very bastion.
&ldquo;This time we will win Bhabanipur with the maximum number of votes,&rdquo; Banerjee said when asked about the BJP challenge, asserting that the saffron party would see its numbers decline in next month&rsquo;s election.
Political observers say the BJP&rsquo;s decision to field Adhikari from Bhabanipur, in addition to his traditional seat Nandigram, is a calculated attempt to convert the constituency into the symbolic battlefield of the election, recreating the psychological theatre of Nandigram but on the chief minister&rsquo;s home turf.
Bhabanipur has been one of the TMC&rsquo;s safest urban strongholds since the party came to power in 2011. The constituency houses Banerjee&rsquo;s residence and has repeatedly returned her to the Assembly.
After her defeat in Nandigram in 2021, senior TMC leader Shovandeb Chattopadhyay vacated the seat to allow Banerjee to contest the by-election. She returned to the Assembly with a commanding margin of more than 58,000 votes and nearly 72 per cent of the vote share.
Yet, in the run-up to the 2026 polls, Bhabanipur has unexpectedly emerged as a constituency under intense political scrutiny.
The SIR of electoral rolls has added a fresh political dimension to the contest. In Bhabanipur, more than 47,000 names have been removed from the voters&rsquo; list -- 44,786 at the draft stage and another 2,324 in the next level. Over 14,000 electors remain &lsquo;under adjudication&rsquo; pending judicial scrutiny.
The scale of deletions has acquired political significance as it is roughly 11,000 fewer than the over 58,000-vote margin with which Banerjee had won the bypoll in 2021, a comparison already fuelling competing narratives between the ruling TMC and the BJP over the potential electoral impact of the roll revision.
In contrast, around 11,000 names have been struck off the voters&rsquo; list in Nandigram, represented by Adhikari.
Banerjee has been a vocal critic of the revision exercise, alleging attempts to manipulate electoral rolls, while BJP leaders argue that the clean-up will make the contest more transparent.
For the BJP, fielding Adhikari from Bhabanipur is as much a psychological move as an electoral strategy.
Having already defeated Banerjee once in Nandigram&mdash;a symbolic stronghold of the TMC&rsquo;s land movement politics&mdash;Adhikari&rsquo;s candidature allows the BJP to frame the election as a direct leadership contest between the state&rsquo;s two most prominent political figures.
The BJP leadership has also been steadily building a narrative that Bhabanipur could become competitive in the changed political circumstances.
Adhikari and senior BJP leaders, including former state president Sukanta Majumdar, have made repeated visits to the constituency in recent months, signalling the party&rsquo;s intention to convert the seat into a prestige battle.
The Mamata Banerjee&ndash;Suvendu Adhikari rivalry represents one of the most dramatic political fallouts in Bengal&rsquo;s recent history.
Once among Banerjee&rsquo;s closest lieutenants and a key architect of the TMC&rsquo;s rise in the politically volatile Jangalmahal and coastal belts, Adhikari switched to the BJP ahead of the 2021 elections, triggering one of the most high-profile defections in state politics.
His victory over Banerjee in Nandigram became the defining moment of that election, even though the TMC swept the state with a thumping mandate.
The Bhabanipur contest now threatens to revive that narrative, potentially turning a single constituency into a symbolic referendum on the leadership of both camps.
More broadly, the face-off encapsulates the larger dynamics shaping the 2026 West Bengal elections.
The TMC is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office, banking on welfare schemes, organisational strength and Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s personal popularity. The BJP, meanwhile, is attempting to revive the aggressive challenger role it played in 2021 by framing the election as a leadership contest against Banerjee.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29.
But even before the campaign fully gathers momentum, political attention has already converged on Bhabanipur.
For the TMC, retaining the seat would reaffirm the CM&rsquo;s political dominance in her own backyard. For the BJP, wresting it would deliver a political shockwave far beyond the boundaries of a single constituency.
Either way, Bhabanipur has become the stage for what many in Bengal&rsquo;s political circles are already calling the &ldquo;mother of all electoral battles.&rdquo;

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