Aam Janata Unnayan Party founder Humayun Kabir on Saturday termed the arrest of a former candidate of his ally AIMIM for the gherao of seven judicial officers in Malda “unjust and politically motivated”. He claimed that the police had in fact arrested the person who “helped in restoring peace in the area”. Mofakkarul Islam, the alleged master-mind of the gherao in Malda district, was arrested on Friday. PICS/PTI The West Bengal Police on Friday arrested two persons, including advocate Mofakkarul Islam, who has been described by the force as the “mastermind” of the gherao on Friday. Reacting to the police action, Kabir, in a social media post, said, “The action by the Bengal CID following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s instruction is unjust and politically motivated.” Seven judicial officers were held hostage inside the local BDO office in the Mothabari area of Malda district, and an eighth was confined inside a vehicle for about nine hours on Wednesday after a large crowd, protesting post-SIR deletion of names from voters’ lists, turned violent by blocking roads, vandalising vehicles and attacking police personnel. 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
05 April,2026 09:15 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesThe Naina Devi Temple Trust has become the first Shakti Peeth in Himachal Pradesh to produce biogas from organic waste generated by its community kitchen or langar, officials said on Saturday. The temple, located in Himachal’s Bilaspur district, attracts a large number of devotees. By generating biogas from langar waste, it has earned the distinction of becoming the first such religious institution in the state to implement such an initiative, they said. Dharampal Chaudhary, chairman of the Shri Naina Devi Temple Trust and the local sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), said “The capacity of this biogas plant will be further expanded in the near future.” The trust has installed a modern, pre-fabricated biogas plant equipped with solid waste management capabilities. The plant is now fully operational and the gas is being utilised directly in the temple kitchen to prepare Prasad and langar meals. 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
05 April,2026 09:09 AM IST | Bilaspur | AgenciesThe Delhi government has tightened norms for the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, making it mandatory for businesses to either have or apply for a piped natural gas (PNG) connection in areas where the network is available, according to an official order. In an order issued by the Food, Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department on Thursday, the government amended a key clause of its recently notified policy on distribution of commercial LPG cylinders.Under the revised rules, commercial and industrial consumers will be eligible to receive LPG supplies only if they are registered with the concerned oil marketing company (OMC) and have applied for a PNG connection, wherever the network exists. “When supplying to commercial gas consumers, the OMCs shall at least once collect documentation records to ensure that the consumer is registered with the OMC and has either applied for a PNG connection or has submitted an application indicating the intent to obtain a PNG connection upon its availability,” the order stated. Meanwhile, India is actively engaging with global partners to safeguard its energy security and the safety of Indian nationals in the Gulf as tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt trade and logistics. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the ongoing situation has posed challenges for countries across the world. “It has been a testing time for not just us, but for the entire global community. Our leaders have been in touch with their counterparts,” Jaiswal said. Seventh Indian LPG tanker crosses the Strait of Hormuz As a seventh India-flagged LPG tanker, Green Sanvi, crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid the war on Friday, Iran posted a special message for New Delhi. The Iranian consulate in Mumbai said on X that India, and Gujarat in particular, held a “cherished place” in “our shared history”. Stranded Indian fishermen in Iran return via Armenia A group of stranded Indian fishermen in Iran returned home through Armenia on Saturday, the government said. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in the return of the Indian nationals. 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
05 April,2026 08:11 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesAir India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express will together operate 32 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the West Asia region on Sunday, April 5. This includes 12 non-scheduled (ad hoc) flights to and from various airports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These additional services will run subject to slot availability and operational conditions at the departure stations. All flights are being operated with necessary approvals from Indian and UAE regulatory authorities. Summary of operations for April 5 UAE Dubai: No scheduled flights; ad hoc operations by Air India from Delhi and Air India Express from Mangalore. Abu Dhabi: No scheduled flights; ad hoc operations by Air India Express from Delhi and Kochi. Ras Al Khaimah: No operations. Sharjah: No scheduled flights; ad hoc operations by Air India Express from Amritsar and Kannur. Al Ain: No operations. Oman Muscat: Scheduled flights by Air India Express from Delhi, Kannur, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. Salalah: No operations. Saudi Arabia Jeddah: Scheduled flights by Air India from Delhi and Mumbai; Air India Express from Bengaluru, Kozhikode, and Mangalore. Riyadh: Scheduled flight by Air India from Delhi. Dammam: No operations. Operations to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Israel (Tel Aviv) remain temporarily suspended for the day. All other Air India flights to and from North America, Europe, Australia and other international destinations will continue as per the normal schedule. Support for affected passengers Passengers booked on temporarily suspended routes can rebook to a future date at no extra cost or opt for a full refund. Air India passengers may manage rebooking or cancellations on the airline’s website at airindia.com or by calling the 24X7 helplines: +91 11 69329333 or +91 11 69329999. Air India Express passengers travelling from any UAE station can rebook without additional charges onto the airline’s extra commercial flights operating from any UAE airport to any destination in India. The airline said it is proactively contacting affected passengers on their registered mobile numbers. The group also appealed to passengers to keep their current and active mobile numbers updated with the airline to receive important notifications. Air India Express customers can also use the airline’s AI-powered digital assistant Tia on WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345 for convenient rebooking. The airline group stated that it continues to explore opportunities to operate more ad hoc flights to and from West Asia destinations as required. It urged passengers to check the latest flight status on the respective airline websites or mobile apps before heading to the airport.
04 April,2026 10:24 PM IST | GurugramAn extortion complaint has landed a senior citizen from Maharashtra's Nashik in the soup after a probe into his blackmailers uncovered 121 obscene videos, leading to his arrest for sexual exploitation after one of his victims came forward, accusing him of abuse, police said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI. The police had earlier arrested four men for allegedly stealing a tablet from the senior citizen's office in the Satpur area and attempting to extort Rs 12 lakh from him by threatening to leak his private photographs and videos on social media. The police had seized four mobile phones, two pen drives and a memory card from the men, and on checking these devices, found 121 obscene and objectionable video clips of women and friends of the complainant, Ravindra Ganpat Erande, the official said, reported PTI. In a twist to the tale, one of the victims lodged a complaint against Erande, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions at various hotels with a promise of providing a government job to her son, he said. Following the complaint, Erande was arrested on Friday under sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means etc) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), Information Technology Act and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, the official said, reported PTI. A probe has revealed that Erande allegedly sexually exploited several women and shot obscene videos of them, reported PTI. The police have appealed to women to come forward with their complaints against Erande, assuring them that their identities will be kept confidential. Erande had approached the Satpur police earlier this week with a complaint about his tablet being stolen from his office, stating that he had already paid the blackmailers Rs 10,000 and was to hand over Rs 50,000 on Thursday evening. Based on the inputs, the police laid a trap and apprehended Akash Pundlik Bakre, Prakash Ramdas Panpatil, Suraj Sunil Gawai and Shreepat Bhimrao Shinde in connection with the blackmail and extortion bid, reported PTI. Beed man duped of Rs 23.42 lakh in 'digital arrest' fraud; three held In another case, three persons, including a woman, have been arrested for allegedly duping a man of Rs 23.42 lakh by threatening him with 'digital arrest' in Maharashtra's Beed district, police said on Friday, reported PTI. The police recently arrested the accused, Prasann Ajay Kasat (31), his wife, Swati (26), and their aide, Sanket Deepak Beldar (22), from Jalgaon in connection with the fraud, an official said, reported PTI. According to the police, the trio allegedly posed as police officials and threatened to place the victim, Suryakant Munde, a resident of Parli Vaijnath, under digital arrest to extort money from him, reported PTI. Investigations revealed that the fraudsters duped the victim of Rs 23.42 lakh and diverted the money to their bank accounts, they said. The police traced the accused based on technical analysis, seized Rs 3 lakh cash from them and froze their bank accounts, the official said, adding that further investigation is underway to identify other members of their gang involved in the racket. (With inputs from PTI)
04 April,2026 05:49 PM IST | Nashik | mid-day online correspondentSenior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a strong political attack against both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging a tacit understanding between the two in Kerala. Addressing an election rally in Alappuzha, Gandhi accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of being aligned with forces that he claimed were responsible for targeting minority communities in different parts of the country, reported news agency PTI. He further alleged that despite political differences on the surface, there existed a deeper connection between the LDF and the BJP that was influencing the political landscape in the state. Claims of ideological shift within the Left Gandhi pointed to the presence of former CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran on the stage as a sign of internal changes within the Left. Sudhakaran, now contesting as an Independent candidate with support from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), was cited as an example of what Gandhi described as a broader ideological shift within the LDF, reported PTI. According to Gandhi, leaders who had spent decades within Left politics were now reconsidering their positions due to what he termed a fundamental transformation in the alliance’s direction. He argued that the LDF no longer represented traditional Left values, suggesting that its identity had eroded over time, reported PTI. Allegations of ‘hidden influence’ guiding LDF The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that a “hidden hand” was shaping the functioning of the LDF. He described this influence as divisive and contrary to constitutional principles, alleging that it promoted communal polarisation and societal divisions, reported PTI. Gandhi further asserted that political workers and leaders within the Left were increasingly uncomfortable with this perceived shift. He categorised LDF leaders into two groups—those seeking power irrespective of ideological compromises, and those who felt disillusioned by the current trajectory of the alliance. Criticism of Prime Minister over selective silence Gandhi also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of selectively addressing religious issues during election campaigns. He questioned why Modi, who frequently speaks about religion and temples in other states, had not raised similar issues in Kerala, reported PTI. Referring to the Sabarimala-related controversies, Gandhi suggested that the Prime Minister’s silence indicated a political calculation aimed at indirectly supporting the LDF. He claimed that the BJP does not aggressively challenge the LDF in Kerala because it does not view it as a national threat. Minority concerns raised in political debate Highlighting broader concerns, Gandhi alleged that minority communities were facing attacks in several parts of the country. He referred to incidents involving religious institutions and individuals, arguing that such developments were part of a larger pattern, reported PTI. He further claimed that the Kerala leadership’s alleged association with groups linked to such incidents raised serious questions. The remarks add to the intensifying political rhetoric in the state ahead of elections, with both national and regional parties stepping up their campaigns. The allegations made by Gandhi are likely to trigger strong responses from both the LDF and the BJP, further sharpening the political contest in Kerala. (With inputs from PTI)
04 April,2026 04:44 PM IST | Alappuzha | mid-day online correspondentAam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha on Saturday rebutted "false and coordinated allegations" levelled against him by fellow party leaders, asserting that the accusations were aimed at silencing his voice in the Parliament. In a video on X, a defiant Chadha claimed that a "scripted campaign" had been launched against him, with repeated and identical accusations being circulated. मैं बोलना नहीं चाहता था, मगर चुप रहता तो बार-बार दोहराया गया झूठ भी सच लगने लगता।Three Allegations. Zero Truth.My Response: pic.twitter.com/tPdjp04TLt — Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) April 4, 2026 "From yesterday, a scripted campaign is working against me. The same language and the same accusations are being used. This is not a coincidence, but a coordinated attack," he added. Says allegations meant to silence him in Parliament The AAP leader said that he initially chose not to respond but felt compelled to speak out. "I thought I should not respond, but when lies are repeated 100 times, people may begin to believe them as truth. Therefore, I am responding now," he noted. He also claimed that the allegations were being used as a pretext to prevent him from speaking in Parliament. "AAP leaders have said that with these accusations, they will not allow me to speak in Parliament. I want to address these three allegations one by one," he said. Refutes claims on walkouts, challenges critics Addressing the first allegation, Chadha said claims that he remained seated when the Opposition staged walkouts were "completely false" and challenged his critics to produce evidence. "There are CCTV cameras in Parliament. They can check the footage, and everything will be crystal clear,” he said. Denies refusal to sign impeachment motion On the second allegation, concerning his alleged refusal to sign an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Chadha dismissed the claim as baseless. “I was never asked -- formally or informally -- by any AAP leader to sign such a motion,” he clarified. He further pointed out that several other AAP MPs had also not signed the notice. "In the Rajya Sabha, AAP has 10 MPs, and even among them, six or seven did not sign. So why am I being singled out?" he asked, adding that the Opposition only required 50 signatures to move the motion. Highlights parliamentary record, rejects ‘fear’ charge Responding to the third allegation that he was acting out of fear, Chadha refuted the charge. "I am not in Parliament to create ruckus, break mics, or use abusive language. I am there to raise the issues of the people,” he said. Highlighting his parliamentary record, Chadha said he had raised a wide range of issues, including GST, income tax, Punjab’s water concerns, and Delhi’s air pollution. He also mentioned discussions on education, public healthcare, Indian Railways, and menstrual health - topics that "are often ignored". “I was in Parliament to create impact, not disruption. Parliament runs on taxpayers’ money, and I am there to raise their concerns,” he said. Chadha asserted that the truth would prevail. "All these lies will be exposed, and every question will be answered. 'Kyunki main ghayal hoon, isliye ghatak hoon' (I am wounded, that's why I am lethal)," he said.
04 April,2026 04:26 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a bid to maintain crucial air connectivity amid prevailing conditions in the region, Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express will together operate a total of 42 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia on April 4. Of these, 26 non-scheduled (ad hoc) flights will be deployed to and from various airports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These additional services are subject to slot availability and other operational conditions at the departure stations. All flights are being operated with necessary approvals from Indian authorities as well as local regulatory bodies in the UAE. According to the detailed summary released by the airline group: UAE: No scheduled operations, but ad hoc flights are planned from several Indian cities. Dubai: Air India from Delhi; Air India Express from Delhi. Abu Dhabi: Air India Express from Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, and Mumbai. Ras Al Khaimah: Air India Express from Kochi, Kozhikode, and Lucknow. Sharjah: Air India Express from Amritsar, Kannur, and Tiruchirappalli. Al Ain: No operations. Oman: Scheduled services continue to Muscat by Air India Express from Delhi and Mumbai. No operations to Salalah. Saudi Arabia: Scheduled flights operate to Jeddah (Air India from Delhi and Mumbai; Air India Express from Kannur and Kozhikode) and Riyadh (Air India from Delhi; Air India Express from Kozhikode). No services to Dammam. Operations to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Israel (Tel Aviv) remain temporarily suspended for the day. All other Air India flights to and from North America, Europe, Australia, and other international regions are continuing as per the normal schedule. Support for affected passengers The Air India Group has assured passengers that those booked on temporarily suspended routes can rebook to a future date at no extra cost or opt for a full refund. Air India passengers are requested to manage rebooking or cancellations directly through the airline’s website at airindia.com or by calling the 24X7 customer support helplines: +91 11 69329333 or +91 11 69329999. Air India Express passengers travelling from any UAE station can rebook without additional charges onto the airline’s extra commercial flights operating from any UAE airport to any destination in India. The airlines are proactively contacting impacted guests using registered mobile numbers. Passengers are advised to update their current and active mobile numbers in their bookings to receive timely notifications. Air India Express customers can also use the airline’s AI-powered digital assistant Tia on WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345 for convenient rebooking. The Air India Group stated that it is actively exploring opportunities to operate more ad hoc flights to and from West Asia destinations as required, to support travellers during this period. Passengers are encouraged to check the latest flight status on the respective airline websites or apps before heading to the airport.
04 April,2026 04:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a swift policy reversal, the government of Pakistan has announced a reduction of PKR 80 per litre in petrol prices, just a day after a steep hike triggered widespread public backlash. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the announcement in a late-night address, signalling an attempt to ease mounting pressure over rising fuel costs, reported news agency PTI. The revised price brings petrol down to PKR 378 per litre, effective immediately. The decision comes amid growing criticism from citizens and industry stakeholders following one of the sharpest fuel price increases in recent years, reported PTI. Unprecedented hike sparked public outrage The move follows Thursday’s announcement of a significant surge in fuel prices, with petrol rising by 43 per cent and high-speed diesel (HSD) by 55 per cent. Petrol prices had jumped from PKR 321.17 to PKR 458.41 per litre after the government increased the levy from PKR 105 to PKR 160 per litre, reported PTI. Similarly, HSD prices were raised from PKR 335.86 to PKR 520.35 per litre, although the levy on diesel was removed. The contrasting approach led to calls for similar relief on petrol, intensifying public dissatisfaction, reported PTI. The abrupt increase had raised concerns about inflationary pressures, particularly on transportation and essential goods, prompting the government to reconsider its decision within hours. Government cites global factors behind price volatility Sharif attributed the volatility in fuel prices to developments in global energy markets, particularly tensions in the Gulf region. Disruptions in petroleum supply, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing conflict in West Asia, have led to sharp increases in international oil prices, reported PTI. He stated that the government had initially tried to absorb some of the impact by providing subsidies worth billions over recent weeks, delaying price adjustments despite rising global costs. Relief measures announced for vulnerable groups Alongside the price cut, the government introduced a set of targeted relief measures aimed at easing the burden on lower-income groups and key sectors. Motorcycle users will receive a subsidy of PKR 100 per litre, while goods transport vehicles are set to receive financial assistance ranging from PKR 70,000 to PKR 80,000, reported PTI. Passenger transport operators will be provided support of up to PKR 100,000, and small farmers will receive assistance of PKR 1,500 per acre. Additionally, the government has decided not to increase economy-class fares for Pakistan Railways, offering further relief to daily commuters, reported PTI. Austerity steps extended as economic pressures persist In a bid to manage the fiscal strain, Sharif announced stricter austerity measures within the government. Federal cabinet members, who had earlier agreed to forgo salaries for two months, will now not receive salaries for six months. The prime minister acknowledged the financial challenges faced by citizens and reiterated that the government would continue efforts to stabilise prices and support the economy. He added that the relief measures would also extend to regions such as Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, with full financial backing from the federal government. The latest developments highlight the delicate balance authorities are attempting to maintain between managing fiscal constraints and addressing public concerns amid a volatile global energy environment. (With inputs from PTI)
04 April,2026 04:06 PM IST | Islamabad | mid-day online correspondentUnseasonal rain accompanied by hail has flattened and severely damaged the wheat crop in Madana Kalan village of Jhajjar district, affecting several farmers in the area. Speaking to ANI, a local farmer said that the unseasonal rain and hail had destroyed his wheat fields, leaving him and other cultivators in the village in a state of distress. "The crop has been entirely damaged. We demand compensation from the government... Conditions are worse in the entire village; everything has been destroyed," he said. Another farmer highlighted that while a small portion of the crop, around 10-20 per cent, might have survived, the damage to the majority of his fields would create significant challenges for selling and marketing the remaining produce "My almost entire crop has been damaged, apart from the 10-20% that might be left... There will be a lot of problems in the sale of this crop. We demand from the government that a timely survey of this damage is carried out and appropriate compensation is given on time," he added, underlining the farmers' call for a prompt and systematic assessment to facilitate compensation and recovery. Farmers across the village are reportedly assessing the extent of losses, and authorities have been urged to provide relief measures for the affected cultivators. Earlier, on April 1, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini laid special emphasis on crop diversification, horticulture and the expansion of high-value fruit crops to enhance farmers' income. He directed officers to identify suitable areas and develop clusters for key fruit crops, including strawberry, lemon, guava and dragon fruit. Chairing a review meeting of the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, the Chief Minister said that cluster-based farming models should be developed according to soil and climatic conditions to ensure higher productivity and better returns in a shorter time. The Chief Minister said that alongside traditional crops, fruit cultivation should be promoted on a large scale, according to a release. "Acknowledging the growing market demand and remunerative prices of these fruits, he stressed linking farmers with production, availability of planting material, processing and marketing to ensure a significant increase in their income," he added. He further directed promotion of tissue culture-based production of crops such as arhar, soybean, groundnut, pulses, fruit crops and sugarcane. He said that the agricultural and horticultural potential of each district should be scientifically assessed. The government's objective, he added, is to connect farmers with multi-cropping, multi-product and high-value farming systems to create sustainable income opportunities. The Chief Minister directed that new hybrid and high-yielding varieties of cotton (narma), mustard, arhar, soybean, groundnut and pulses be developed. He also called for promoting research on seeds and planting materials that can withstand hailstorms, climate change and adverse weather conditions. He said that land available with agricultural universities, colleges and at the panchayat level should be identified for research and trials so that new varieties and technologies can be tested under local conditions and quickly disseminated among farmers. He also directed that students and research institutions be actively involved to accelerate innovation. The Chief Minister further directed the officers concerned to study successful hybrid varieties, fruit plants and modern technologies developed in universities of other states and adapt them to Haryana's conditions to ensure the availability of quality seeds and planting material to farmers. He also directed officers to identify clusters to promote natural farming across the state. Farmers in these clusters should be provided with jeevamrit, organic solutions, drums and other necessary resources, along with practical training. He said that the natural farming model being implemented by Acharya Devvrat at Gurukul Kurukshetra should be adopted as a base for wider implementation, enabling more farmers to take up low-cost and sustainable farming. He stated that if productivity declines during the initial phase of adopting natural farming in any Cluster, the government should compensate farmers for their losses. Financial assistance and technical guidance should be extended to strengthen farmers' confidence so that natural farming can be scaled up as a mass movement. The Chief Minister directed that regular testing of crops, fruits, vegetables and other agricultural produce for pesticides and residues be ensured in laboratories. Chemicals that are harmful to health and increase the risk of serious diseases such as cancer should be immediately prohibited. Samples should be sent regularly for testing, and strict action must be taken against violators. 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.
04 April,2026 03:57 PM IST | Jhajjar | mid-day online correspondentAs the Middle East crisis triggered by the Iran-US-Israel war enters its 35th day, various cities across India continue to grapple with a persistent LPG shortage. Rishikesh has not been spared, with the city now facing a similar energy crisis ahead of the Char Dham Yatra. The hospitality sector in Rishikesh has been the hardest hit; hotel owners and roadside dhaba operators are struggling to maintain daily operations in light of the LPG crisis. As a result, they have shifted to alternative fuels like wood and coal to handle their daily operation, which present significant logistical challenges for the eatery outlets. Vivek Tiwari, a local restaurant owner, highlighted the severity of the situation, noting his business has been forced to resort to alternatives such as wood and coal to sustain their operations. He further acknowledged that while there has been a marginal improvement in the supply of commercial LPG, it remains far below the levels required to meet daily demand. "Restaurants in Rishikesh are being forced to use alternatives like wood and coal to sustain daily operations. As the Char Dham Yatra is set to begin, the government and gas agencies need to be transparent about their supply strategy. While there has been a marginal improvement and we are receiving commercial cylinders from agencies, the current supply remains well below the requirement needed to sustain daily operations," Tiwari told ANI. However, Rishabh, another restaurant owner, was vocal in his criticism of the ongoing LPG shortage. He revealed that despite having a formal commercial connection, the supply remains nonexistent; as a result, he too is forced to rely on coal and traditional furnaces to keep the kitchen running. He alleged that gas agencies are unable to meet the demand for commercial LPG supply. "There is a severe problem with the gas supply; we simply are not getting it. We have had to bring in coal and a furnace just to manage our restaurant. Despite holding a commercial connection, the gas remains unavailable. Even the agencies have raised their hands, declaring there is no possibility of a supply. We have been dealing with these challenges for 15 to 20 days now," said Rishabh. He further warned that if the situation persists, the upcoming Char Dham Yatra could face problems. He added that businesses may be forced to either suspend operations entirely or significantly increase food prices just to keep their business alive. "If the situation remains like this, we will either close our restaurants or increase food prices to keep our business alive. Even the Char Dham Yatra will be adversely affected," warned Rishabh. Meanwhile, at the second meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM), which monitors the evolving situation in West Asia and suggest proactive measures for its minimum impact on India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that in view of the "uncertain situation", the Defence Minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality. He stressed the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict. 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.
04 April,2026 02:39 PM IST | Rishikesh | PTIADVERTISEMENT
