The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Monday assured that there is no shortage of crude oil in the country and that fuel supply remains stable across India. Speaking on the issue, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that crude oil is available in sufficient quantity and all refineries are operating at their highest capacity. "Crude is available in sufficient quantity. All refineries are operating at the highest capacity. Our petrol pumps are operating normally. No dry out has been reported anywhere," Sharma said. Her remarks come amid concerns in certain areas regarding fuel availability. The ministry clarified that the petroleum supply chain is functioning smoothly and there is no disruption in the distribution of petrol and diesel. Officials said that oil marketing companies are closely monitoring the supply situation to ensure the uninterrupted availability of fuel at retail outlets. The Shipping Ministry also confirmed that LPG carrying Indian flagged vessel Shivalik would be docking in Munhdra Port shortly. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Shipping Ministry, GoI said, "Shivalik LPG carrier, which sailed from the Persian Gulf, crossed the Strait of Hormuz and headed towards India, will be reaching today around 5 pm, maybe after an hour or so. And before its arrival, documentation, priority berthing, and everything have been arranged at the port so that there is no delay in the discharge of cargo by this vessel. All Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf area are safe. No incident has been reported in the last 24 hours, and we are keeping a continuous watch on the situation. We are in touch with each vessel and its crew. 22 vessels, as was reported on Saturday, also. 22 Indian flag vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf..." "Indian-flag vessel 'Jag Laadki', which sailed from the UAE on 14th of March, is carrying about 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil, is safely en route to India. The vessel and all Indian seafarers on board are safe. They'll be reaching tomorrow at Mundra Port," he added. Meanhwile, EAM Jaishankar earlier said that Delhi is currently engaging with Iran to facilitate the reopening of the vital waterway, which handles nearly 20 per cent of global oil trade. In an interview with the Financial Times, he noted that these discussions are "already yielding some results," suggesting that India finds it more effective to "reason and coordinate" with Tehran rather than disengage. "Certainly, from India's perspective, it is better that we reason and we coordinate and we get a solution than we don't. While this is a welcome development, there is continuing conversation because there is continued work on that," Jaishankar remarked. The Minister highlighted the recent passage of two Indian-flagged vessels, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, as a practical success of this diplomatic strategy. The tankers, carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), are currently en route to the Indian ports of Mundra and Kandla. However, Jaishankar clarified that a formal "blanket arrangement" for all Indian-flagged ships has not yet been established. He explained that the transit of vessels is currently being managed on a "case-by-case basis." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
17 March,2026 12:45 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIWest Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari will contest from Nandigram, where he defeated Mamata Banerjee in 2021, and from Bhabanipur, the constituency currently represented by the TMC chief, as per the first list of 144 candidates released by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday for the upcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. Polling in the State is set to be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with the counting of votes for both phases will be conducted on May 4, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul will contest from Asansol Dakshin, actor-turned-politician Rudranil Ghosh is set to run from Shibpur, and BJP MLA Bankim Chandra Ghosh will contest from Chakdaha. West Bengal has 294 Assembly seats, and the party is expected to announce the remaining candidates soon. As per the ECI, the first phase covering 152 Assembly constituencies will begin with the issuance of the gazette notification on March 30, 2026. The last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9. Polling for the first phase will be held on April 23. For the second phase, which covers 142 Assembly constituencies, the gazette notification will be issued on April 2, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is April 9, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13. Voting for this phase is scheduled for April 29. West Bengal has a total of 6,45,61,152 electors as per the Election Commission of India, including 6,44,52,609 general electors and 1,08,543 service voters. The state has 5,23,229 young electors aged 18-19 years. The electoral rolls also list 4,16,089 electors marked as Persons with Disabilities (PwD), 1,152 electors identified as third gender, and 3,78,979 senior citizens aged 85 and above. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
17 March,2026 12:32 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday released the first list of candidates for the upcoming General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Keralam. The party has fielded BJP Keralam President Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom seat and former Union Minister of State for External Affairs of India, V Muraleedharan, from Kazhakoottam seat. According to a press release, the Central Election Committee of the BJP met on March 12, 2026, under the presidentship of Nitin Nabin. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Amit Shah, and all other members of the Central Election Committee. The Committee announced the names of 47 candidates who will contest in the state assembly elections. In Keralam, the main fight is between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) for 140 seats. Meanwhile, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is also in the fray to compete against both alliances. BJP plans to contest around 100 seats in Kerala, while its allies Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) and Twenty20 are expected to contest the remaining 40 seats as part of the alliance. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced Assembly elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry. According to the schedule, Kerala and Assam will vote in a single phase on April 9, while Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. Voting in Puducherry will also take place on April 9. The polling in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes for all four states and Puducherry will be held on May 4, the ECI announced. The Election Commission of India reviewed poll preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Pudducherry previously this month. Special intensive revision of the voters' lists in these four states and one union territory has already been conducted, with final electoral rolls published. The terms of the current assemblies are set to end on different dates: May 7 in West Bengal, May 10 in Tamil Nadu, May 20 in Assam, May 23 in Kerala, and June 15 in Puducherry. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
17 March,2026 12:31 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) | ANIDisciplinary action has been initiated against a policeman for allegedly manhandling a senior journalist in Kufri, about 20 kilometres away from Shimla. The incident occurred on Sunday when the policeman allegedly obstructed the journalist from covering a news event and asked him to leave the spot. However, the policeman retreated from the spot when the journalist resisted and questioned him for his action. The incident was captured on the camera, which also went viral on social media platforms. The video drew criticism from people and the media fraternity alike, who questioned the policeman's action. A delegation of media persons met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday and expressed displeasure over the incident. The journalist demanded stern action against the said policeman. The chief minister, after hearing their grievances, assured stern action against the accused and also assured the media persons that such incidents would not be allowed to be repeated in the future. Following Sukhu's intervention, the police took disciplinary action against the accused. Shimla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Singh expressed regret over the incident and said that the police value the important role of the media in providing information to the people and respect the freedom of the press. He said that the police acknowledge that responsible journalism is essential for maintaining public trust and awareness and it was equally important for both police personnel and media representatives to work with mutual respect, patience and professionalism while performing their duties.
17 March,2026 12:26 AM IST | Shimla | PTIThe doors of Sri Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, the gurdwara situated at the highest altitude in the world, will be opened for devotees on May 23, shrine administration said on Monday. Narendrajit Singh Bindra, president of the Sri Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, shared this information following a meeting with the state's Chief Secretary, Anand Bardhan. During the meeting, discussions were also held regarding arrangements for the upcoming pilgrimage and facilities for the devotees. Assuring all possible cooperation during the pilgrimage, Bardhan directed the local administration to ensure appropriate arrangements. The trust organises this pilgrimage in coordination with the state government and provides free accommodation and meals for pilgrims at its 'dharamshalas' (rest houses) located in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Ratuda, Joshimath, Govindghat and Ghangharia. While 'Langar' (community meals) is served at the gurdwara itself, pilgrims are not permitted to stay overnight there due to the extreme altitude and limited facilities. Situated at an elevation of 15,200 feet in Chamoli of the upper Garhwal Himalayan region, this Sikh pilgrimage site remains enveloped in heavy snowfall and severe cold during the winter months. Consequently, its doors are closed every year in October and reopen the following May. Every year, hundreds of thousands of devotees visit the gurdwara to pay their obeisance. Hemkund Sahib is revered as the site of 'tapsthali' (penance) of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs. Nestled amidst snow-capped mountain ranges, the gurdwara and Lokpal Tirth are situated near the Hemkund Sarovar. To reach this destination, one travels by motor vehicle from Govindghat (near Badrinath) up to Pulna village, followed by a strenuous trek of approximately 17 km. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 March,2026 11:50 PM IST | Dehradun | PTIFlorida-based hospitality giant Hard Rock International on Monday announced that it has terminated franchise agreements with JSM Corporation Pvt Ltd and related entities covering the right to operate all Hard Rock Cafe outlets and Rock Shops in India, resulting in the closure of outlets in 10 locations across the country. The company did not disclose the reason behind the decision to terminate the agreements, which dismantles its footprint across several key locations in India. Outlets in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Pune affected The outlets affected include Hard Rock Cafe Bengaluru, Bengaluru International Airport, Bengaluru Whitefield, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Hyderabad Hitech City, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Pune, as per PTI "Hard Rock International has formally terminated its agreements with JSM Corporation Pvt Ltd. and related entities covering the right to operate all Hard Rock Cafes and Rock Shops within India. The Hard Rock Hotel in Goa will remain open and is not connected to this operator," the company said in a statement. Founded in 1971, Hard Rock Cafe is a global chain of music-themed bar-restaurants, memorabilia shops, casinos, hotels and museums with a presence in more than 70 countries.
16 March,2026 08:35 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a brazen and deeply disturbing act, several people were seen walking behind a tiger on the public road between Moharli and Chandrapur near the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve to click pictures and shoot videos. The incident triggered massive outrage among wildlife conservationists who warned that the reckless behaviour could have ended in tragedy. In a shocking incident, several people were seen walking behind a tiger on a public road between Moharli and Chandrapur near the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, attempting to click pictures and record videos. Wildlife experts warned the reckless act could have turned dangerous.… pic.twitter.com/zzWeDFFOzs — Mid Day (@mid_day) March 16, 2026 Wildlife conservationists have strongly condemned the reckless act and demanded strict legal action against those seen in the video, warning that such behaviour could have triggered a serious human-wildlife conflict incident. Wildlife photographer Sanjeev Siva, a regular visitor to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, said, “Around 1 to 1.5 years ago, tigress C3 had three sub-adult cubs near the Sitarampeth-Kondegaon area. At the time, strict restrictions were in place to ensure vehicles did not stop and disturb the tigers. However, people continued using the road to travel between villages.” “On Sundays and public holidays, especially when visitors came from nearby cities like Chandrapur, people would often shout and scream at the tigers visible by the roadside. I have personally seen the tigers respond with mock charges and even growls in anger,” he further added. Expressing concerns, he also asserted that eventually, one of the male tigers, known as ‘Collarwala’, killed a Moharli safari driver, Amol, and developed a habit of charging at bikers. “It was later removed from the forest and, I believe, sent to a rescue centre,” Siva said. Referring to the Padmapur-Moharli road, Siva said it is frequently crowded with tourists heading to resorts as well as members of the public travelling to and from Chandrapur. “There is regular movement of at least five to six tigers crossing this road. Anyone getting off a vehicle or stopping on this stretch can be fined Rs 2,000 or Rs 5,000. These people seen in the video are not tourists who came for tiger safaris, so imposing restrictions only on safari tourists will not solve the problem. Whoever makes these mistakes, the tiger gets the sentence (and at times, innocent villagers too lose their lives in conflict) – both who haven't started this unfortunate trail of events," he added. What Forest Department officials have to say The Maharashtra Forest Department statement, while briefing about the incident, said, “A case has been registered in connection with the viral video on the Moharli-Padmapur road; the search for the accused has begun.” “On March 15, a video of people stopping vehicles on the Mohali-Padmapur road and taking videos went viral on social media, blocking the path of a tiger and trampling it. The Forest Department has started an investigation into this serious matter,” they added. Hinting that proper action will be taken against the accused, the department said, “Action will be taken to seize the vehicles that stopped vehicles on the tiger's migration route.” They also added, “A forest crime case has been registered against the accused who came down the road under the Indian Forest Act 1972, and legal action will be taken after identifying the accused.” The case is being investigated by Range Forest Officer Mohorli Range, and if the accused in the video is identified, information should be given on 9834689541.
16 March,2026 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavAmid the concerning LPG crisis across the country, there has been a decline in cylinder bookings. Consumer panic over domestic gas availability eased as raids target hoarding and black marketing across states, news agency IANS reported, quoting an official statement on Monday. In a post on social media X, PIB India posted that there has been a drop in liquified petroleum gas (LPG) bookings with about 77 lakh bookings recorded on March 14 compared to 88.8 lakh bookings on March 13. The post from PIB further added, "Online LPG cylinder bookings increased from 84 per cent to about 87 per cent, and there have been no reported dry-outs at LPG distributorships." Raids conducted across India amid LPG shortage It further stated that raids are being conducted across states to check hoarding and black marketing, and 22 states and Union Territories (UTs) have established control rooms to monitor the situation. The government also appealed to consumers to avoid panic bookings, use digital booking platforms, and avoid unnecessary visits to LPG distributors. LPG crisis: Government continues to prioritise supply, says petroleum ministry Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the government continues to prioritise the interests of domestic consumers and ensure an uninterrupted LPG supply, particularly for households and priority sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions, the ministry said in a statement. No cases of fuel dry-outs have been reported at retail outlets by oil marketing companies (OMCs) – Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum – as supplies of petrol and diesel continue to be maintained regularly, according to the ministry. While issuing the advisory, the ministry also highlighted that citizens are advised not to panic as the government remains committed to maintaining adequate LPG availability for households and essential sectors. LPG cylinders can be booked through multiple digital platforms, including IVRS calls, SMS booking, WhatsApp booking, and mobile applications of OMCs. OMCs are promoting digital bookings, discouraging panic bookings and keeping LPG distributorships open on Sundays to facilitate smooth supply. However, amid the crisis, LPG supply continues to be monitored in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation. (With IANS inputs)
16 March,2026 06:36 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentTwenty passengers were injured after a private tourist bus overturned and caught fire following a tyre burst in Maharashtra's Beed district on Monday, a police official said. As reported by news agency PTI, the incident took place at 2:30 am near Surani on Manjarsumba-Ambajogai road in Kaij tehsil. As reported, the incident happened around 50 kilometres from the district headquarters, the official added. A police official, while briefing about the incident, asserted, "The bus, with 28 passengers, was on its way from Jalgaon to Latur. Its tyre burst at a sharp curve, causing the vehicle to go out of control, break the roadside railing and fall into a ditch on the entrance (left) side. Passengers from a Nanded-Pune bus passing by rushed in and managed to rescue those in the ill-fated vehicle, which caught fire soon after", as cited by PTI. He further highlighted that around twenty passengers were injured. The injured were shifted to the sub-district hospital nearby in six ambulances by a team under Kaij police station inspector Swapnil Unawane. The medical officer Dr Awez Shaikh further stated, "Eleven passengers were later shifted to Swami Ramanand Teerth Government Rural Hospital and Medical College in Ambajogai and the remaining nine to a facility in Latur," as per PTI. Police said the fire gutted passenger belongings and also spread to a nearby farm plot, destroying mango, jamun, tamarind, berry and lemon trees. The injured include a 3-month-old child, police said. 25-year-old biker dead after road rage clash in Mumbai In a different incident last week, a minor argument in Mumbai’s Malad area spiralled into a shocking road rage murder, leaving a 25-year-old biker dead after a violent clash with a cab driver. The victim was identified as Sharik Ansari, a resident of the Malwani MHADA area in Malad. Ansari worked at a digital marketing firm near Mindspace in Malad. How the road rage in Mumbai unfolded According to police sources, both the biker and the cab driver were travelling from Malwani towards Andheri via Link Road when a heated argument broke out near Mith Chowky Junction while driving. The verbal spat quickly escalated as both continued driving while arguing. The confrontation intensified when they stopped their vehicles near Infiniti Mall in Malad, under the Oswal Metro Station, and got into a physical fight. Witnesses said the biker allegedly smashed the driver’s side window of the car using his helmet. In retaliation, the driver reportedly attacked the biker with a sharp object, suspected to be a key. During the scuffle, the pointed object allegedly pierced the biker’s chest and the back of his neck, leaving him with multiple deep injuries. Bystanders and police rushed the critically injured biker to a nearby private hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
16 March,2026 05:13 PM IST | Beed | mid-day online correspondentA 33-year-old woman was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in Maharashtra’s Pune district. The incident happened in the wee hours of Monday, police said. As reported by news agency PTI, the unfortunate incident took place at around 2 am when the woman, identified as Shobha Waghmare, was walking on a service road in the Chakan area adjacent to the Pune-Nashik Highway. The whole incident was captured on a CCTV camera installed in the locality. An official from the Chakan police station said, "The woman was walking on the road when a pack of stray dogs suddenly attacked her. As it was late at night, there was nobody around on the road. Unfortunately, she died on the spot," as cited by PTI. The official further asserted that an accidental death report has been registered. Man dies after accidentally falling into old well in Borivali Earlier last week, a 42-year-old Tejas Tawde died after falling into a packed well in Borivali’s Babhai Naka. Police said Tawade, a resident of Virar, was celebrating India’s T20 World Cup win with his friends in Borivli on Sunday. Tawde, along with his friends, went to buy Chinese food at a restaurant. A police officer, while briefing about the incident, said, “Tawde and his friend gave the order and were waiting. Tawade wanted to go to the bathroom, but the restaurant did not have any facilities. He then crossed the road in the dark and accidentally fell into a well.” The well is too old, and it was covered with grills. But a part of the grill was broken, and it was covered with leaves. Tawade didn’t realise that there was a well, and he fell into it, said police, adding that rescue efforts were made to pull him out alive; however, he had died upon falling. Furthermore, Corporator Shiva Shetty, while expressing concern about the incident, said, ‘I rushed to the spot, but he drowned. The locals tried to help him but failed to do it because the water level was too deep. I rushed to the fire brigade at Don Bosco, but all the fire officers were busy. Somehow, they arranged a team. They arrived at the spot and pulled Tawde out. We rushed him in an ambulance, but he was declared dead before admission.'
16 March,2026 05:12 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentThe External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked "the people of Armenia" for facilitating the successful evacuation of 550 Indian nationals from Iran. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far. Appreciate their support in these challenging times. @AraratMirzoyan." Thank the Government and the people of Armenia for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran so far.Appreciate their support in these challenging times. @AraratMirzoyan 🇮🇳 🇦🇲 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 16, 2026 Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said that more than 70 Indian students, majority of them from Jammu and Kashmir, who were stranded in Iran amid the ongoing war situation in the region, have returned safely to India via a connecting journey through Armenia and Dubai, following a coordinated evacuation effort. The Association said that these students had been stranded in Iran due to the ongoing war-like situation and deteriorating security conditions in the region, and are now returning safely to India. It further said that most of the students travelling in this batch are studying at Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and other universities across Iran. Before boarding the flight, the students travelled by buses from different cities in Iran and undertook a long land journey to Armenia, reaching Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan to board the evacuation flight. Diplomatic channels between New Delhi, Yerevan, and Tehran coordinated closely to help facilitate the evacuation successfully. Meanwhile, as the conflict entered its third week the Israeli Air Force (IsAF) has successfully targeted and destroyed the aircraft used by the Iranian leadership at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, marking a significant blow to the regime's strategic mobility. In a post on X, the air force confirmed the strike, stating that they "destroyed the plane of the leader of the Iranian terror regime at the 'Mehrabad' airport in Tehran." The aircraft was identified as a critical logistics and diplomatic tool used by the former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, additional senior officials from the terror regime, and elements in the Iranian military. The IsAF noted that the plane was vital to "advance military procurement and manage relations with Axis countries through domestic and international flights". Consequently, the mission was specifically designed to disrupt the operational synergy between Tehran and its regional allies. According to military officials, "the destruction of the plane impairs the ability to coordinate between the leadership of the Iranian terror regime and Axis countries, in building military power, and in the regime's rehabilitation capability." By eliminating this high-value target, Israel has significantly hindered the regime's ability to maintain its military and diplomatic networks, asserting that "another strategic asset has been removed from the Iranian regime". This high-profile strike was part of a broader, intensive aerial campaign. The IAF on Sunday (local time) said it struck more than 200 targets across western and central Iran over the past day, targeting military infrastructure, including missile systems, defence installations, and operational headquarters. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
16 March,2026 04:33 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIADVERTISEMENT
