While the LPG shortage in India has been creating a ruckus, the oil prices, on the other hand, declined sharply on Tuesday. Trading below USD 90 per barrel, the prices fell by almost 30 per cent after US President Donald Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could end soon. Brent futures declined as much as 10.85 per cent to an intraday low of USD 88.22 per barrel from the previous close of USD 98.96 per barrel. At the last count (around 11 am), they were trading at USD 92.50, down 6.44 per cent, reported IANS. Crude Oil futures down by 7 per cent Meanwhile, crude oil futures in the commodity market on Tuesday traded at USD 87.94 per barrel, down more than 7 per cent. However, they touched an intraday low of USD 84.43, down 29.33 per cent from the all-time high of USD 119.48. Why did crude oil prices fall? The easing in oil prices came after the American President hinted at de-escalation in the Middle East conflict. Earlier on Monday, oil prices had climbed past USD 100 a barrel as the conflict involving Iran disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and rattled global markets. Donald Trump’s take on rising oil prices Earlier, Trump said on his social media platform that higher oil prices were a temporary cost linked to confronting Iran’s nuclear threat. While taking it to the social media platform TruthSocial, Trump wrote, "Short-term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, are a very small price to pay for U.S.A. and world safety and peace." Oil prices declined after Trump also stated that the American campaign against Iran would conclude "very soon", describing victory as the point when Tehran no longer can develop weapons that could threaten the United States, Israel, or their allies. Trump warned Iran amid rising oil prices Trump also cautioned Iran against attempting to disrupt global energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. "The Strait of Hormuz is going to remain safe," he said, adding that the US has a strong naval presence in the region. "We have a lot of Navy ships there," as per IANS. US-Israel attack on Iran Earlier this month, the United States and Israel carried out major strikes on Iranian targets as part of a joint military effort. The attacks aimed to weaken Tehran’s military strength and nuclear capabilities. Union Finance Minister on oil prices On the other hand, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament said that the recent rise in global crude oil prices is unlikely to have a significant impact on inflation in India for now, noting that inflation currently remains close to the lower end of the target range. (With inputs from IANS)
10 March,2026 02:18 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentSeveral cities across India are facing a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, prompting warnings from hotel and restaurant associations about possible shutdowns. Hospitality industry bodies in cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai say irregular gas supplies over the past few days have disrupted kitchen operations, forcing some eateries to cut menus, reduce working hours and temporarily halt services. The sector has urged the Centre to intervene and ensure uninterrupted LPG supply to prevent further disruption to food services. The shortage comes amid supply disruptions linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. The conflict has affected global energy shipping routes, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for oil and gas supplies. Restaurants struggle as LPG supply becomes irregular Industry bodies say restaurants are finding it increasingly difficult to procure commercial LPG cylinders, which are essential for daily operations. Many establishments have begun reducing menus and operating hours to conserve gas. The hospitality sector has urged the Centre to intervene and ensure uninterrupted distribution of commercial cooking gas. Bengaluru hotels warn of closures In Bengaluru, the Bangalore Hotels Association warned that restaurant operations across the city could be severely affected. “Since the gas supply has stopped, the hotels will be closed from tomorrow,” the association said in a statement issued on Monday. The association noted that the hotel industry provides essential services to a wide range of people including students, medical professionals and daily commuters who depend on eateries for regular meals. It also said oil companies had earlier assured an uninterrupted gas supply for 70 days, making the sudden disruption a major setback for the hospitality sector. Association president PC Rao later told reporters that hotels would continue functioning “till the last drop” of available gas stock. Chennai industry bodies raise alarm In Chennai, the hotel industry has also warned that the situation is becoming critical. The city’s hotel association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention. Respected Sir,@CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin @Udhaystalin The situation has now become even more critical. Commercial LPG distributors have completely stopped supplying cylinders, stating that they have no stock available. As a result, many restaurants are forced to shut down 👇 📣 pic.twitter.com/cY6bYROmKY — Chennai Hotel Association (@ChennaiHotelAs1) March 9, 2026 Association president M Ravi said disruptions in commercial LPG supply could affect hospitals, IT parks, college hostels and travellers who depend on the food industry. “The food industry works on a 24x7 basis and any disruption in LPG supply will severely affect essential food services,” Ravi said, adding that banquet bookings and large-scale catering services could also be impacted. Mumbai restaurants cut menus, reduce hours Mumbai’s hospitality sector is also feeling the impact, with industry estimates suggesting that nearly 20 per cent of hotels and restaurants have temporarily suspended operations due to the shortage. AHAR respectfully brings to the attention of the Hon’ble Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas that many of our members from the hospitality industry are currently facing serious difficulties in procuring commercial gas cylinders.Despite being a basic operational requirement… pic.twitter.com/CEnx09DmCA — AHAR - Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association (@AharAssociation) March 9, 2026 Several well-known eateries in areas such as Dadar, Andheri and Matunga have begun shortening their menus, dropping slow-cooked dishes such as dal makhani and rava dosa that require longer cooking times. Restaurants have also reduced operating hours to preserve remaining LPG supplies. Industry bodies seek government clarification The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) has also raised concerns, stating that suppliers are unable to meet the demand for commercial LPG cylinders, severely affecting restaurant operations. As per news articles, the Government has clarified that there is no ban on supply of commercial LPG cylinders for the restaurant industry. However, the ground situation is different, with suppliers expressing inability to supply the same. This is severely impacting the… — NRAI (@NRAI_India) March 9, 2026 Pune gas crematoriums temporarily shut The LPG shortage has also affected civic services in Pune. The Pune Municipal Corporation has temporarily shut down gas crematoriums due to restrictions on the use of LPG components such as propane and butane. According to civic officials, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas directed that available propane and butane be prioritised for domestic LPG supply across the country. Electric and wood-fired crematoriums will continue operating to avoid inconvenience to residents, officials said. Government steps to stabilise supply The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed oil refineries to increase LPG production and divert additional hydrocarbon streams to the domestic LPG pool. In light of current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on supply of LPG, Ministry has issued orders to oil refineries for higher LPG production and using such extra production for domestic LPG use. The ministry has prioritised domestic LPG supply to… — Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) March 9, 2026 The government has also invoked the Essential Commodities Act to ensure uninterrupted supply of cooking gas. Authorities have introduced a 25-day inter-booking period for domestic LPG refills to prevent hoarding and black marketing. Non-domestic LPG supplies from imports are currently being prioritised for essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions. A committee comprising senior officials from oil marketing companies has also been formed to review requests from restaurants, hotels and other industries seeking LPG supplies. Government says no cause for panic Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that India’s overall energy supply situation remains stable despite global disruptions. “Energy imports into the country are in full flow from all non-Hormuz routes. The energy requirements of our citizens are being fully met,” Puri said. In my excellent interaction with members of the media fraternity today, we discussed how India is navigating the trilemma of energy availability, affordability and sustainability even in the face of the current geopolitical challenges.Energy imports into the country are in full… pic.twitter.com/YoZvBAImdn — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) March 7, 2026 However, industry bodies warn that unless commercial LPG supplies are restored soon, the hospitality sector could face widespread disruptions affecting millions of consumers who rely on restaurants for daily meals.
10 March,2026 02:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSpiceJet on Tuesday adjusted the flight timings for its flight SG 263, which was scheduled to fly from Delhi's Terminal 1D to Kolkata’s Terminal 2 on March 10, shifting the departure to 09:40 am. While issuing an official advisory, SpiceJet said, "Dear Customer, due to operational reasons, your SpiceJet flight SG 263 from Delhi has been revised. Here are the updated details: SG 263, 10 Mar '26, Delhi (Terminal 1D) - Kolkata (Terminal 2), 0940 hrs - 1200 hrs. For flight changes, itinerary updates, web check-in, or flight status, visit https://spicejet.com/SPICEJ/cd. We regret any inconvenience caused", reported ANI. Indian Airlines announced additional flights for stranded passengers Meanwhile, Indian carriers Akasa Air and SpiceJet have announced continued and additional flight operations to support passenger travel between India and the Gulf region as airlines adapt to disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia conflict and airspace restrictions in the region, as per ANI. According to a statement issued by SpiceJet, they will be operating multiple special flights from Dubai to several Indian cities to ensure smoother connectivity for passengers affected by the situation. Earlier, a SpiceJet SG 9073 flight from Fujairah, UAE, safely brought passengers back to Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in the national capital, New Delhi, on Friday amid rising tensions in West Asia. The passengers, who had travelled to the UAE to attend the Vijay Ratna (VR) award function on February 28, faced significant challenges due to multiple flight cancellations caused by the ongoing conflict in the region. There were 50 VR awardees and some journalists on the flight who eventually flew back to India without any inconvenience. Passengers share their experience flying back to India amid conflict Among the passengers, Vivekanand Hodekar from Karnataka, who was there to attend the award ceremony, said that he panicked when his flight was cancelled. He credited Chairman and MD of Vijayanand Roadlines Limited (VRL) Group, Vijay Sankeshwar, for arranging food, shelter, and alternate return flights for all 50 awardees, as per ANI. SpiceJet continues to operate multiple special flights from Dubai to India to support passenger travel and ensure smoother connectivity. Passengers are requested to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.#flyspicejet #SpiceJet pic.twitter.com/UHt6466rN7 — SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) March 9, 2026 Furthermore, a journalist who had gone to Dubai to cover the VR awards also shared his ordeal, saying his flight scheduled for March 1 was cancelled, followed by another cancellation for March 3. With Sankeshwar's help, he was finally able to book a SpiceJet flight for March 6. The journalist added, "My family were waiting for me, and I was very tense. I am happy to have reached home safely," as per ANI. The coordinated efforts ensured the safe return of all passengers despite the uncertainty caused by the conflict in the region. (With inputs from ANI)
10 March,2026 12:16 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA man accused of murdering a woman in Punjab last month has been arrested in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar following a joint operation by the city crime branch and the Railway Police. The accused, identified as 34-year-old Gurvinder Singh, also known as Goldie, had allegedly been on the run after the killing, which took place in Patiala on February 19. According to police officials, Singh and two accomplices are suspected of murdering a woman in Patiala. The victim’s family had reportedly refused to perform her last rites until all those responsible for the crime were apprehended. Authorities launched a search for the suspects soon after the incident, working across states to trace their movements. Police said Singh was detained at the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station after arriving in the city on board the Amritsar–Nanded Sachkhand Express on 8 March. Officials received a tip-off from the Punjab Police indicating that the suspect was travelling on the train. Acting on the intelligence, the city crime branch coordinated with the Railway Police and waited for the train’s arrival. When Singh attempted to flee the station premises, officers chased and apprehended him after a brief pursuit. Transit remand granted A team from the Punjab Police reached Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Monday to take custody of the accused. Singh was presented before a local court, which granted transit remand to the Punjab police until 12 March. He will now be taken back to Punjab for further investigation into the murder case. Sanitation worker stabbed to death in Ulhasnagar; shocked wife commits suicide Meanwhile, in an another incident, a contractual sanitation worker of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC) in Thane district was stabbed to death by a man while on duty on Monday afternoon, leaving his wife in shock who committed suicide hours later, police said, reported the PTI. The deceased was identified as Mahadu Jagtap (35), who was employed as a contractual sanitation worker with a private company, which has a cleaning contract with the UMC. The incident occurred in front of the house of a former corporator in the Section 20 area when Jagtap was carrying out routine cleaning work, they said, the news agency reported. "A man, identified as Durgesh Gupta (31), allegedly attacked the victim with a sharp weapon and stabbed him multiple times, leading to his death on the spot," a senior official from Central Police Station in Ulhasnagar told PTI. (with PTI inputs)
10 March,2026 12:12 PM IST | Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar | mid-day online correspondentThe Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear the plea filed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders challenging the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state on Tuesday. News agency IANS reported, as per the cause list published on the website of the Supreme Court, a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and comprising Justices R. Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi will take up the petitions filed by the West Bengal Chief Minister as well as TMC MPs Dola Sen and Derek O’Brien. While filing the application, Chief Minister Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of acting with political bias. Mamata Banerjee has also alleged that, in the manner in which the SIR exercise is being conducted, it would result in the deletion of names of lakhs of voters belonging to marginalised sections of society. Mamata slams SIR West Bengal's Chief Minister, in her plea, has also contended that the process disproportionately affects vulnerable groups and has sought directions to ensure that genuine voters are not excluded from the electoral rolls, reported IANS. During the previous hearing, the Supreme Court had intervened to address the deadlock between the West Bengal government and the poll body over the conduct of the revision exercise and directed that judicial officers be involved in the process of deciding objections and claims filed by voters. Taking note of the situation, the CJI-led bench had directed the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to nominate serving and some retired judicial officers of the rank of Additional District Judge (ADJ) to assist in adjudicating claims and objections filed by voters during the revision exercise. The Supreme Court earlier also said that the ECI officials and the West Bengal government would assist the judicial officers in carrying out the process. The Apex Court had also permitted judicial officers from neighbouring High Courts, including Jharkhand and Orissa, to be deputed to West Bengal to expedite the adjudication of voter claims and objections arising from the ongoing SIR exercise. The direction from the Supreme Court came after the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court stated that nearly 80 lakh applications involving categories such as “logical discrepancy” and “unmapped voters” required adjudication, while only around 250 judicial officers were available to deal with the massive pendency. Invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court had also clarified that the poll body may proceed with publication of the final electoral roll even if adjudication of certain cases remains pending, adding that voters whose names are included in subsequent supplementary lists would be deemed to be part of the final electoral roll. (With inputs from IANS)
10 March,2026 11:00 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed Class XII board examinations scheduled for its affiliated schools in several Middle East countries amid ongoing regional tensions. The affected countries include Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to the board, the examinations that were originally scheduled between March 12 and March 16, 2026, have been deferred after reviewing the situation in the region. The decision was taken considering the uncertainty in parts of the Middle East and the mental stress faced by students during the current situation. Situation to be reviewed on March 14 CBSE said it will review the situation on March 14, 2026, after which a new examination schedule will be announced. Students have been advised to remain in contact with their respective schools for further updates and follow official announcements issued by the board, officials said. Notification issued to schools and embassies The notice was issued by Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations at CBSE. The notification have also been sent to Indian diplomatic missions in the region, including the Indian embassies in Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Muscat, Doha, Manama, Kuwait City and Tehran, as well as the Consulate General of India in Dubai, it said. The board was closely monitoring the developments and will take further decisions based on the evolving situation. Indian embassy in UAE issues advisory Last week, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi had issued an advisory, addressing Indian nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid the prevailing situation in West Asia that has led to temporary disruptions in airspace and flight operations. In the advisory, the Embassy urged all Indian nationals currently in the UAE to remain vigilant, stay calm, and strictly adhere to the safety guidelines issued by the UAE authorities. They are also advised to follow official advisories from time to time to ensure their well-being. Helplines activated for stranded Indians The Embassy further informed that its offices in Abu Dhabi, along with the Consulate in Dubai and their outsourced passport, consular, and visa services, are functioning normally. Indian nationals in the UAE facing any queries or concerns can reach out round-the-clock through the following helplines: Toll-free number: 800-46342 WhatsApp: +971 543090571 Queries can also be sent via email to pbsk.dubai@mea.gov.in or ca.abudhabi@mea.gov.in.
10 March,2026 10:53 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA temporary gas shortage linked to the West Asia conflict has forced the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to suspend gas-based cremation services across civic crematoriums, shifting the city’s funeral infrastructure to electric cremation systems until further notice. The move follows a March 5 advisory from the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, directing authorities to prioritise propane and butane for domestic LPG supply, amid global energy disruptions triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran. What has changed Gas-based cremationTemporarily suspended Electric cremationActivated across multiple facilities Domestic PNG supplyNo disruption Why the suspension? Key reasons>> Central government advisory on gas prioritisation>> Temporary shortage of PNG supply>> Propane and butane reserved for household LPG needs Alternative cremation facilities Electric cremation furnaces with Air Pollution Control (APC) systems now operating at>> Vaikunth Crematorium, RTO Chowk>> Kharadi Crematorium>> Kailas Crematorium, Mundhwa>> Kondhwa Crematorium, Gurunagar>> Wadgaon Crematorium, Aundh–Baner Link Road>> Ganganagar Crematorium, Hadapsar Civic appeal PMC has urged citizens to use nearby electric crematoriums and cooperate with authorities until normal gas supply resumes. The information was issued by Manisha Bhokrekar, chief engineer, electrical, PMC. City’s busiest crematorium affected Vaikunth Dham crematorium Detail DataLocation Navi PethArea 17 acresDaily cremations 20 bodiesStatus Gas-based system closed
10 March,2026 10:44 AM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that just a day after International Women's Day and on the very first day of the budget session, the state government has reassured Matri Shakti (women) that it is serious about their welfare. Whether it is the increase in the size of the gender budget, which is important from the perspective of women's equality, or budgetary provisions for various schemes directly related to women, the government has ensured financial support for them. According to an official release from CMO, the Chief Minister stated that last year the state government had presented a gender budget of Rs 16,961.32 crore. While presenting the budget this time, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that a provision of Rs 19,692.02 crore has been made under gender budgeting. This clearly indicates that efforts aimed at women's welfare will gain further momentum following this budget. He further said that the state government has demonstrated its commitment to women's welfare by allocating funds for schemes that directly benefit them, such as the Eja-Boi Shagun Yojana for mothers and the Nirbhaya Fund for the safety of daughters. In addition, there is a long list of schemes--including the Chief Minister Mahalakshmi Kit Scheme, Vatsalya Yojana, Chief Minister Women Nutrition Scheme, and financial assistance for the marriage of daughters of destitute widows--for which budget provisions have been made, reflecting the government's serious efforts to improve the well-being of women, a release stated. He also said that under the Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0 scheme, the state government has allocated Rs 598.33 crore. Under this scheme, supplementary nutrition is being provided through Anganwadi centres to around 7.33 lakh beneficiaries aged between six months and six years. Additionally, keeping in mind the nutritional needs of both mothers and children, a total budget provision of approximately Rs 149.45 crore has been made for the Prime Minister's Nutrition Mission, a release added. 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
10 March,2026 10:36 AM IST | Uttarakhand | ANIUnion Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu handed over the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) aerodrome licence to the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar on Monday. In a post on X, Naidu said the licensing marks an important step towards the launch of one of the country's most ambitious aviation infrastructure projects. "Pleased to hand over the DGCA aerodrome license to Noida International Airport (Jewar) as it inches closer to becoming operational. Also discussed expediting of the remaining process by the airport operator," the minister said. Highlighting the scale and significance of the project, Naidu described the airport as one of the most important aviation developments in the country. "Jewar International Airport stands as one of the most significant aviation developments in the country, with the largest airport area in Asia," he added. According to the minister, the airport has been envisioned as a major aviation hub with integrated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and air cargo facilities. "Envisioned as a major aviation hub with integrated MRO and air cargo facilities, it will play a crucial role in strengthening India's aviation ecosystem," Naidu said. "Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji, India's aviation sector continues to expand at an unprecedented pace, creating world-class infrastructure and new opportunities for growth and connectivity," Naidu said. The Noida International Airport project, located in Jewar in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district, is being developed through a public-private partnership between the Uttar Pradesh government and Zurich Airport International AG. The airport is expected to emerge as a major connectivity hub for the National Capital Region (NCR) and western Uttar Pradesh. Once operational, it will serve as the NCR's second international airport after Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and help ease passenger traffic pressure. In its first phase, the airport will feature a single runway and a terminal capable of handling 12 million passengers annually. The facility is expected to expand in phases to accommodate up to 70 million passengers in the future. The greenfield airport is also expected to boost logistics, real estate development and employment in the region, generating nearly one lakh direct and indirect jobs while strengthening India's aviation and cargo infrastructure.
10 March,2026 10:29 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIPolice have registered a case against a passenger for allegedly smoking a ‘beedi’ inside the toilet of a Delhi-Goa Akasa Air flight, officials said. The incident occurred on Saturday when the accused Ashish, a Delhi resident, was travelling on flight QP1625 from the national capital to the coastal state, they said. As per the airline’s complaint, the passenger allegedly smoked inside the plane lavatory during the flight. 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
10 March,2026 08:57 AM IST | Panaji | AgenciesA Delhi court on Monday granted 10-day interim bail on several conditions to activist Sharjeel Imam, an accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case, to attend a family event. Imam has been asked not to meet anyone except his friends, relatives or family members, or visit places except those mentioned in his plea. He has also been prohibited from using social media. 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
10 March,2026 08:53 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
