The government has increased the minimum waiting period for booking a domestic LPG cylinder refill from 21 days to 25 days to prevent hoarding, as there were signs of panic buying taking place in the market amid the uncertainties due to the Iran war. Officials said that there is a sufficient supply of LPG available in the country, and the booking time for LPG cylinders has been increased as a measure to manage inventory effectively. The step has been taken as there was a surge in demand of 15 to 20 per cent due to panic booking, due to fears that supply would be disrupted because of the escalating war in the Middle East. Average households consume 7-8 LPG cylinders of 14.2 kg in a year and should normally not need a refill in less than 6 weeks, an official pointed out. A senior official said that petrol and diesel prices will not be increased for now despite international crude oil rates crossing USD 100 per barrel. Oil marketing companies-- Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum-- are expected to absorb the current cost pressure for the time being. He said the government is closely monitoring global oil markets, but there is no immediate plan to raise retail fuel prices. Meanwhile, the Parliament was informed on Monday that India currently has a total capacity for storage of crude oil and petroleum products for 74 days, which can help to tide over disruptions in case of adverse situations such as geopolitical conflicts. "The government has established Strategic Petroleum Reserves facilities with a total capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes (MMT), which can act as a buffer for short-term supply shocks such as geopolitical conflicts. This is meant to provide for about 9.5 days of crude oil requirement. In addition, Oil Marketing Companies in the country have storage facilities for crude oil and petroleum products for 64.5 days. Hence, the current total national capacity for storage of crude oil and petroleum products is 74 days," Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. 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.
09 March,2026 08:22 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | IANSBehind the iron gates of India’s prisons lies a quieter injustice, one that rarely makes it into police records, court files, or prison registers. Persons with disabilities (PwDs), particularly those with mental health conditions, are entering the criminal justice system largely unseen, unrecorded, and unsupported. On Monday (March 9) a new review by iProbono India, a Delhi-based, women-led social justice organisation, titled “Inaccessible by Design – A Disability-Centred Review of State Prison Manuals in India", exposes deep structural failures across prison systems in Maharashtra and the rest of the country. The report examined prison manuals in 35 states and Union Territories, measuring them against the standards of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. What emerges is a disturbing portrait; disability is rarely identified at the earliest stage of the justice process, from FIRs (First Information Reports) to arrest memos, leaving thousands of vulnerable individuals trapped in a system that neither recognises nor accommodates them. Maharashtra- Where the system begins to fail In Maharashtra, one of India’s largest prison systems, mental health screening at admission remains inconsistent and poorly structured, a pattern mirrored nationwide. Across India, only 11 out of 35 states and Union Territories require any form of mental health screening when a person enters prison. Even where such screening exists, it is usually conducted by a prison medical officer with no requirement for a trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. The consequences are severe: prisoners with psychosocial disabilities may go undiagnosed, untreated, and misunderstood – often misclassified as security risks rather than individuals needing care. A law that exists only on paper The iProbono latest report further reveals that India already has legal safeguards. Section 103 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, requires prisons to conduct • Physical and mental health examinations at admission • Substance-use assessments • Drug testing with periodic follow-ups Yet prison manuals across states, including those influencing prison administration in Maharashtra, fail to implement these mandates in practice. Most manuals lack: • Frameworks to identify psychosocial or neurodivergent conditions • Requirements for trained mental health professionals • Standardised diagnostic tools Among all states, Karnataka stands alone in providing a standardised screening tool, while Tamil Nadu is the only state to explicitly mention trained psychologists or social workers during admission. Mid-Day’s earlier reports Mid-Day had earlier, in April 2023 and October 2022, written a series of stories on the issue; for instance, in April 2023 Maharashtra: One psychiatrist for 42,577 inmates in 64 prisons The state has also not implemented the Mental Healthcare Act, which mandates a mental health unit in at least one prison. Also Read: Maharashtra: One psychiatrist for 42,577 inmates in 64 prisons October 2022 ‘India doesn’t spend even Rs 100/day on a prisoner’: How can access to medical care in prisons be improved? What’s it like to be old and imprisoned in India? Latest statistics on medical care available inside Maharashtra’s jails paint a familiar, worrying picture. Also Read: ‘India doesn’t spend even Rs 100/day on a prisoner’: How access to medical care in prisons can be improved? Disability used as a reason for exclusion Instead of enabling access, prison policies across India frequently exclude prisoners with disabilities from opportunities that could improve their lives. In Karnataka (2021) and West Bengal (1992), prisoners deemed “mentally or physically unfit” are barred from mandatory educational programmes, the report states. Across seven states and Union Territories, prisoners with mental illness are explicitly excluded from parole and furlough. In six states, those with mental health conditions are barred from open or semi-open prisons, facilities designed to support rehabilitation and reintegration. Disability, the report notes, is treated not as a status requiring accommodation, but as a disqualification. Isolation instead of care In 17 states and Union Territories, prison manuals mandate segregation of prisoners with mental illness. Instead of receiving specialised care, these individuals are often confined to: • Isolation cells • “Contagious” wards • Cells housing high-risk or “dangerous” prisoners Such segregation often occurs without safeguards, oversight, or medical justification. Who decides a prisoner must be isolated? In a system that holds thousands of vulnerable individuals, the power to segregate them often rests with prison authorities alone. In 17 out of 18 states, prison staff can decide whether a prisoner with a disability should be isolated. • No mandatory mental health assessment • No consultation with specialists • No independent review Only Uttar Pradesh requires consultation with a medical officer, yet no state requires a trained mental health professional for such decisions. The invisible prisoners The findings reveal a system where disability is almost invisible. Key gaps across India’s prison manuals include the following: • Little or no mental health screening at admission • Absence of trained mental health specialists in assessments • Continued use of ableist terminology • Blanket exclusions from education, parole, furlough, and open prisons • Routine segregation and isolation of prisoners with mental illness A national conversation long overdue For advocates, the problem extends beyond prison walls. The failure to recognise disability begins earlier — during policing and arrest — and continues through legal aid and court proceedings. The report calls for urgent reforms across the criminal justice system, emphasising that access to justice for persons with disabilities must include: • policing procedures • prison administration • legal aid systems • judicial processes Until then, thousands of prisoners with disabilities, including those in Maharashtra, will remain trapped in a system built without them in mind. i-Probono program manager speaks Karuvaki Mohanty, Program Manager, iProbono India "Prisoners with disabilities face heightened vulnerabilities within custodial settings, where the absence of reasonable accommodation creates a compounding layer of hardship. This is further aggravated for those with invisible disabilities; without identification or awareness, their needs remain unseen and their right to specific accommodations unmet. Our review of 35 State Prison Manuals reveals a systemic failure to move beyond framing disability as a 'risk', highlighting the urgent need for a structural redesign that centres dignity and access to justice for persons with disabilities across the entire criminal justice continuum," Karuvaki Mohanty, Program Manager, iProbono India, and Shrutika Pandey, Consultant iProbono, said.
09 March,2026 08:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar MenonKuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh welcomed another milestone in India’s cheetah programme. On Monday, Namibian female cheetah Jwala gave birth to five cubs, taking the total number of India-born cheetah cubs to 33. As reported by IANS, Jwala, who was part of the first batch of eight cheetahs brought from Namibia to Kuno on September 17, 2022, on Monday delivered cubs for the third time after being relocated to India. Sharing the development, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav described the birth as a proud moment for Project Cheetah. Yadav said, “Jwala, a successful third-time mother, delivered five cubs at Kuno National Park, marking another milestone in India’s wildlife conservation efforts.” Cheetahs cross half-century 🐆A moment of great pride for Project Cheetah as Jwala, the Namibian Cheetah and a successful third-time mother, gave birth to five cubs today at the Kuno National Park.With this birth, the number of Indian-born thriving cubs has risen to 33,… pic.twitter.com/tzxYYmLPtM — Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) March 9, 2026 Yadav, while taking it to social media handle X, said, "With this birth, the number of thriving Indian-born cheetah cubs has risen to 33. This is also the 10th successful cheetah litter on Indian soil.” Union Minister further added that the achievement reflected the dedicated efforts and commitment of veterinarians, forest officials and field staff working on the ground to ensure the success of the cheetah reintroduction programme. He further wrote, “With the arrival of these cubs, the total cheetah population in India has now reached 53.” CM Mohan Yadav hails Project Cheetah The development comes over a week after the third batch of nine cheetahs, six females and three males, was brought from Botswana and released at Kuno National Park by the Union Environment Minister on February 28. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also expressed happiness over the birth of the cubs and termed it a historic moment for wildlife conservation. “Cheetah Jwala has given birth to five cubs, marking another major milestone for Project Cheetah. With this, India’s cheetah population has crossed the half-century mark, reaching 53,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X. He added that the development was a proud moment for the country and a strong testament to the success of India’s cheetah reintroduction efforts. This marks a remarkable success for India’s Project Cheetah, as the endangered felines, reintroduced to the country just a few years ago, have seen a consistent, steady rise in numbers. Last month, another cheetah named Gamini also gave birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park, further strengthening the growing cheetah population in the country. (With inputs from IANS)
09 March,2026 07:02 PM IST | Kuno | mid-day online correspondentUnion Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday sharply criticised Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, describing him as a “failed LoP” and alleging that the Congress has become “directionless” under his leadership. Goyal also targeted the Congress-led Opposition alliance for repeatedly disrupting the proceedings of the House after bringing a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, reported news agency IANS He questioned the Opposition’s conduct, particularly its demand for a discussion on the West Asia conflict at a time when a debate on the no-confidence motion against the Speaker had already been scheduled. Piyush Goyal slams Congress for avoiding debate, says party has no respect for Constitution “It is very unfortunate that the Indian National Congress is running away from the debate. At the insistence of Congress, the notice against the Speaker was admitted. After discussing it with them, it was decided that it would be discussed today. However, they brought another motion,” Goyal told reporters while speaking on the developments in the Parliament. The Union Minister further alleged that the Congress party neither understands parliamentary procedures nor respects constitutional norms. “The Congress party neither understands any parliamentary procedure nor do they respect the Constitution,” Goyal said while criticising the party’s approach inside the House. He also claimed that since Rahul Gandhi assumed the position of LoP in the Lok Sabha, the functioning of Parliament has been repeatedly disrupted due to what he described as pre-planned tactics by the Congress. 'Rahul Gandhi a failed LoP, Congress directionless': Goyal “Since Rahul Gandhi became the Leader of Opposition, he has lost all desire to run Parliament. He comes with a pre-planned strategy. Bringing placards, disturbing the proceedings, wasting Parliament’s time on baseless topics, etc,” Goyal said. The minister further alleged that members of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc were attempting to avoid the debate and suggested that there were signs of internal differences within the alliance. “Rahul Gandhi is a failed LoP. He neither understands the Constitution nor is he interested in understanding the parliamentary process, procedure, or rulebook. The way he works makes it clear that Congress is a directionless, completely failed Opposition party. I believe his allies, the DMK and TMC, have understood this, and that is why they abandoned Congress in today’s debate,” he added. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also criticised the Congress while speaking to reporters, accusing the party of undermining parliamentary norms and turning the proceedings of Parliament into what he described as a spectacle. Congress turning Parliament into a joke: Ravi Shankar Prasad “The Congress thinks it can turn Parliament into a joke. There are no rules, no propriety, no standards being followed. You have brought a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, which is a very rare occurrence. The Speaker, maintaining full dignity of the post, even accepted an urgent proposal despite there being no legal requirement to do so, and yet he is not presiding over the House,” Prasad said. He also stated that the ruling party was prepared for a discussion, but accused the Congress of leaving Parliament and avoiding the debate. “We are ready for a debate, but they have left the Parliament and are not ready to hold any discussion. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Congress does not care about the Constitution, the parliamentary tradition or procedure,” he said. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma also weighed in on the issue and spoke about the Lok Sabha Speaker, saying he has long upheld parliamentary traditions. “It is my great honour that Om Birla and I have worked together in the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He is someone who believes in and follows parliamentary traditions,” Sharma said. He further alleged that the motion brought by the Opposition was aimed at diverting attention from meaningful discussions in the House. “The motion has been brought to distract the House from a productive discussion. They just want to waste time,” he added. (With inputs from IANS)
09 March,2026 06:50 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentCongress organised a farmers’ protest march from Kalmanuri to Hingoli in Maharashtra on Monday, led by party’s state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal. The march, titled ‘Shetkari Sangharsh Padyatra (Farmers’ Struggle March),’ was organised to highlight issues faced by farmers and to protest against what the party described as anti-farmer policies of the Narendra Modi-led Centre. According to Sapkal, prices of agricultural produce have declined after the trade agreement between India and the United States (US), resulting in losses for farmers. “As the trade agreement with the US was signed, the prices of agricultural produce across the country have fallen. Farmers growing fruits are also facing significant losses,” he said while addressing the media. Sapkal alleged that the Centre was responsible for the situation and accused PM Modi of compromising the interests of Indian farmers. “Narendra Modi has surrendered before the US and has put the country up for sale,” he claimed. Harshwardhan Sapkal attacks Wardha–Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, Mahayuti government The ‘padyatra’ began in the morning after state leaders paid tribute at the memorial of late former Member of Parliament Rajeev Satav. Several Congress leaders and party workers, including Mohan Joshi, Sachin Naik, Professor Yashpal Bhinge, Siddharth Hattiambire, and Sahebrao Kamble, along with local office-bearers and farmers, participated in the march. During the event, Sapkal also criticised the proposed Wardha–Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway, claiming it would primarily benefit large industrial interests rather than ordinary citizens. “The Wardha–Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway is not meant for common people. It is being built to facilitate the transportation of minerals from Gadchiroli to the coastline for export. This highway is a red carpet for big capitalists,” he alleged, adding that farmers would not benefit from the project. Sapkal further questioned the government’s decision to undertake the ₹88,000-crore highway project at a time when, according to him, contractor payments were pending and financial resources were limited. He also claimed that the state government had yet to fulfil financial commitments, including assistance promised under the “Ladki Bahin” scheme. The Congress leader also criticised the ruling Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, alleging corruption and accusing it of shielding those involved in irregularities. Commenting on rising LPG prices amid tensions in the Gulf region, Sapkal said that benefits of falling global fuel prices were not passed on to consumers, while price hikes were justified during shortages. He further urged the central government to hold discussions in Parliament and engage with opposition parties on economic and foreign policy matters. “India should not become subservient to the United States but should stand with dignity and self-respect,” he said. The Kalmnuri–Hingoli Farmers’ Struggle March concluded with a public meeting attended by party leaders, workers and farmers.
09 March,2026 06:15 PM IST | Hingoli | mid-day online correspondentA Delhi court on Monday reserved its order on the bail plea of a married couple accused of hurling racial slurs at their neighbours from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Additional Sessions Judge Samar Vishal heard the arguments presented by both parties on Monday and reserved the order for Tuesday. The accused, Harsh Priya Singh and Ruby Jain, were arrested on February 25 by the Delhi Police for allegedly hurling racial slurs at the three northeastern women in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area. The counsel for the accused, advocate Gaurav, argued that the present case was merely a spontaneous dispute between two neighbours, where both parties used questionable language and derogatory remarks. It was not a case of racial discrimination that attracted the charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, as the accused were not aware that the complainants were tribal. They did not use any language specifically targeting their tribal identity, he said. He also argued the dispute occurred within their rented accommodation, which is not a "public place" as per the essential ingredients of an offence under Section 3 of the SC/ST Act. He also submitted that the Police Control Room (PCR) call was made by the accused themselves, as they also felt intimidated by the words used by the complainants. Gaurav further argued that all evidence related to the incident had been seized by the police, and the accused had earlier joined the investigation on their own volition before their arrest, so there is no need for further custodial interrogation. He also argued that Section 196 (promoting enmity between different racial groups) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) should not be attracted in the present case, as the complainants themselves uploaded the video on social media and led to its widespread dissemination. He also alleged that the medical condition of Ruby Jain has deteriorated in jail as her treatment has been interrupted. While the advocate did not disclose any details regarding the medical condition, he pleaded for Jain's bail application to be viewed under the special considerations for the grant of bail to women in non-bailable offences under Section 480 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). He also alleged that her medical condition affects her mood and heightens aggression, which may have impacted her behaviour on the day of the incident. The counsel for the complainant, Liyi Noshi, opposed the bail plea as the investigation is still ongoing and the accused may attempt to influence the prosecution witnesses if released. One of the primary eyewitnesses to the incident, the electrician who installed the air conditioner, is yet to be examined, she said. She also argued that the accused had made attempts to intimidate the complainants. Shortly after the incident, they were called to their landlord's house as an attempt to "mediate" between the neighbours, wherein they were pressured to de-escalate the matter. She also alleged that the three women have been worried about their safety as people have shown up to their door in the middle of the night after the incident. She emphasised that the lives of the girls have been heavily impacted by the incident. One of the girls who is from Manipur had to leave Delhi and move back home amidst ongoing ethnic violence in the state with great difficulty, she said. Opposing the argument that Section 196 of BNS is not attracted, she stated that the video was not uploaded online by the complainants. They had initially sent the video to their friends seeking help, but the video ended up being widely disseminated and uploaded on social media in a chain of events beyond their control, she said. She also questioned the argument posed by the opposing counsel on there being no racial discrimination, as she stated, "The accused was clearly heard saying, 'You northeastern people are shit', how is that not a derogatory remark attacking a certain community?" Advocate Gaurav denied any claims of the complainants being intimidated after the incident, highlighting that no criminal complaints have been filed regarding these instances. He also alleged that the case was marred by political influence and subjected to a media trial, as he said, "Everyone, from the chief ministers of the seven sister states to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, joined in to comment on this case after the media covered this incident. If we need to be political, there are bigger matters in the country." The present case pertains to the accused couple allegedly making abusive and derogatory remarks against the three women from Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur during a row over debris from the installation of an air conditioner at their rented accommodation on February 20. The police have invoked the SC/ST Act in the FIR against the duo. They said the case was initially registered under sections of the BNS, invoking charges of criminal intimidation, insult to the modesty of women, and promoting enmity between groups. 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.
09 March,2026 05:36 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIKarnataka Minister for the Public Works Department Satish Jarkiholi on Monday said that no one can ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Jarikholi further said that the Congress-led government in Karnataka has never stated that it would ban the RSS. He made the statement while speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Monday, in response to a challenge by former BJP MP Ananth Kumar Hegde that the Karnataka government lacks the capacity to ban the RSS. “They might issue statements, but officially, no one has banned it in the state. Probably, no one will be able to ban the RSS. There is no question of banning the organisation. We have never said that we will ban RSS.” Jarkiholi condemns Priyank Kharge’s statement on banning RSS activities When asked about Minister for RDPR, IT and BT Priyank Kharge’s statement that RSS activities would be banned in the state, Minister Jarkiholi said there is a difference between banning activities and banning the Sangh itself. He said, “Both are different matters. Our government has not stated anywhere that we will ban the RSS. Hence, the discussion in this regard is unnecessary", as cited by IANS. When questioned about the confusion surrounding the internal reservation, Minister Jarkiholi said it will be resolved at the upcoming cabinet meeting. “It has not been resolved yet, and the discussion is incomplete. We need to show a path, as confusion is prevailing in the state,” he said. When asked about senior ministers, including K. H. Muniyappa, being upset that the government is acting one-sidedly in the matter, he said the government is on everyone's side. “It is wrong to say that the government has taken sides. The government will try to find a solution to this in the upcoming cabinet meeting,” Minister Jarkiholi said. Priyank Kharge writes a letter to CM Siddaramaiah Minister for RDPR, IT and BT Priyank Kharge wrote a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, urging a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities in public places and on government-owned premises across the state. The issue had also sparked a war of words between Congress and BJP leaders. Following the letter, the government issued an order deeming gatherings of more than 10 persons illegal and mandating permission from authorities for holding foot marches or public events, which are unconstitutional. Earlier, on November 17, 2025, it was stated that the Congress-led government’s order, requiring private organisations to obtain prior permission from authorities to hold events in public places and government-owned properties, violates fundamental rights. (With inputs from IANS)
09 March,2026 05:25 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondentIran had sought India's permission for three of its ships to dock at Indian ports and the approval was granted the next day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday, amid tensions in the Indian Ocean region following sinking of an Iranian warship by the US last week. In a statement in the Parliament, Jaishankar said one Iranian vessel, IRIS LAVAN, docked in Kochi on March 4 reported PTI. It is for the first time a senior minister said that Iran requested for docking of three of its ships in Indian ports. India grants Iranian ships port access, IRIS Lavan docks at Kochi says Jaishankar "The Iranian side has requested permission on February 28 for three ships in the region to dock at our ports. This was accorded on March 1. IRIS LAVAN actually docked on March 4 in Kochi. The crew is currently in Indian naval facilities," he said. "We believe that this was the right thing to do and the Iranian foreign minister has expressed his country's thanks for this humane gesture," Jaishankar said. The sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena by a US submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka on March 4 triggered concerns about the expansion of the conflict in West Asia to the Indian Ocean region, according to PTI The warship was returning home after participating in the Milan multilateral naval exercise as well as International Fleet Review hosted by India. At least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack. Sri Lanka grants Iranian warship emergency docking at Trincomalee As per PTI, another Iranian warship was allowed to dock by Sri Lanka at its eastern port of Trincomalee. The vessel, IRINS Bushehr, had sought permission to enter Sri Lankan waters, citing an engine failure. In his remarks, Jaishankar also said that the government is fully committed to ensure the country's energy security. The global energy supplies have witnessed some disruptions in view of the escalating conflict in West Asia. "In view of the implications of this conflict for our energy security, I also seek to address that particular concern. The government remains committed to ensuring that fully, taking into account the availability, costs and risks of the energy markets," the external affairs minister said. "For us, the interests of the Indian consumers have and will always be the overriding priority. Where required, Indian diplomacy has supported the endeavours of our energy enterprises in this volatile situation," he said. (With PTI inputs)
09 March,2026 05:14 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | mid-day online correspondentAmid the West Asia war, the impact of the rise in global crude oil prices on the rate of inflation in India is not estimated to be substantial at this point. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while speaking in the Parliament during the Budget Session 2026, said that India’s inflation is near the "lower bound". Sitharaman highlighted that the price of crude oil that India imports has been on a declining trajectory for the past year till the geopolitical clashes commenced in West Asia on February 28, 2026, as reported by IANS. The Union Finance Minister further added, "Between the end of February and March 2, 2026, the crude oil price (Indian basket) rose from USD 69.01 per barrel to $80.16 a barrel. Given that India's inflation is near the lower bound, the impact on inflation is not estimated to be substantial at this point," reported IANS. Global crude oil prices rise amid the West Asia War Global crude prices have been rising since February 28, when the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran. The war has now spread to the Middle East region as Iran hit back with retaliatory drone and missile strikes on US bases in the region. Replying to the question in the Parliament, Sitharaman said, “RBI's Monetary Policy Report in October 2025 had estimated that if crude oil prices are higher by 10 per cent than the baseline assumptions, and assuming full pass-through to domestic prices, inflation could turn out to be higher by 30 basis points.” Sitharaman highlights four factors impacting crude oil prices Sitharaman further stated that the medium-term impact of the global crude oil price rise on inflation depends on several factors, including exchange rate movements; global demand and supply situations; monetary policy transmission; the state of general inflation; and the extent of the indirect pass-through. The average retail inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index declined from 5.4 per cent in 2023-24 to 4.6 per cent in 2024-25 and further to 1.8 per cent in 2025-26 (April-January), reported IANS. The headline inflation for January 2026 stood at 2.75 per cent and is near the lower bound of the RBI's inflation tolerance band of 2 per cent to 4 per cent. She further added, “As part of inflation management, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has reduced the policy rate by 125 basis points cumulatively since February 2024." The government has also undertaken a series of measures to control inflation and mitigate its impact on the common citizen. These include augmentation of buffer stocks for essential food items, strategic sales of procured grains in the open market and facilitation of imports and export curbs during periods of short supply, she said. Besides, the government has taken fiscal steps such as exempting annual incomes up to Rs 12 lakh (and Rs 12.75 lakh for salaried individuals) from income tax so that the middle class has more money in its hands. Besides, the GST rates have been cut across the board to make goods and services cheaper for consumers, she added. (With inputs from IANS)
09 March,2026 04:34 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIndia’s cheetah population has crossed the 50 mark, marking an important milestone in wildlife conservation efforts, according to officials. The development comes after Cheetah Jwala gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh on Monday. Bhupender Yadav, India’s Union Environment Minister, announced that with the birth of the cubs, the country’s total cheetah population has reached 53. The announcement comes just days after another cheetah, Cheetah Gamini, delivered four cubs at the same park. According to the minister, the latest birth takes the number of Indian-born cubs to 33, representing the 10th successful cheetah litter on Indian soil. "Cheetahs cross half-century! A moment of great pride for Project Cheetah as Jwala, the Namibian Cheetah and a successful third-time mother, gave birth to five cubs today at the Kuno National Park. With this birth, the number of Indian-born thriving cubs has risen to 33, marking the 10th successful cheetah litter on Indian soil--another important milestone in India's cheetah conservation journey," the Union Minister said in a post on X. MP CM calls it major achievement Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, described the development as a proud moment for wildlife conservation in the country. In a message shared on social media, he said the birth of the cubs marks another important milestone under Project Cheetah, which aims to restore the species in India. "Good News from Kuno National Park again...Cheetah Jwala has given birth to 5 cubs, marking another major milestone for Project Cheetah. With this, India's cheetah population has crossed the half-century mark, reaching 53. A proud moment for wildlife conservation and a strong testament to the success of India's cheetah reintroduction efforts," CM Yadav said in a post on X. Good News from Kuno National Park again...Cheetah Jwala has given birth to 5 cubs, marking another major milestone for Project Cheetah. With this, India’s cheetah population has crossed the half-century mark, reaching 53.A proud moment for wildlife conservation and a strong… pic.twitter.com/UfZz64zpJ6 — Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) March 9, 2026 Part of India’s cheetah reintroduction programme The cheetah, recognised as the world’s fastest land animal, became extinct in India nearly seven decades ago. The cheetah reintroduction initiative began in September 2022 when Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs brought from Namibia into Kuno National Park. The ambitious programme seeks to revive the cheetah population in India while also strengthening wildlife conservation and promoting eco-tourism in the region. (with PTI inputs)
09 March,2026 04:07 PM IST | Bhopal | mid-day online correspondentExternal Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday said that Iran had expressed gratitude to India for allowing its naval vessel IRIS Lavan to dock at the port of Kochi in Kerala, reported the IANS. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar described the move as a “humane gesture” taken by India amid ongoing tensions in West Asia. Jaishankar said maintaining high-level contact with Iranian leaders has been difficult due to the current regional situation. However, diplomatic engagement between the two countries continues through available channels. He informed the House that he had spoken with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on February 20 and March 5, 2026, and added that such conversations would continue, according to the IANS. Warship sought assistance after technical problem The minister explained that the Iranian naval vessel had requested permission to dock in India after experiencing a technical malfunction while operating in the region. Iran had earlier sought approval on February 20 for three ships to dock at Indian ports. After considering the request, the Indian government granted permission on March 1, and IRIS Lavan docked at Kochi on March 4. The ship’s crew is currently staying at facilities of the Indian Navy. The docking took place around the time when another Iranian naval vessel, IRIS Dena, reportedly sank near Sri Lanka. India’s priorities amid West Asia tensions Jaishankar also addressed concerns about India’s energy security, noting that the West Asia region remains an important supplier of oil and gas for the country. He said the government is handling the situation while keeping the interests of Indian consumers as the “overriding priority.” The minister outlined three key principles guiding India’s approach: - Support for peace, dialogue and diplomacy - Ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian citizens in the region - Protecting India’s national interests, including energy security and trade Nadda criticises Opposition Meanwhile, J. P. Nadda, Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, criticised Opposition parties for their behaviour during the discussion. He accused them of creating disruption rather than engaging in debate and claimed that they had similarly walked out during earlier discussions on issues such as the Union Budget 2026-27, electoral reforms and other national matters, the news agency reported. (with IANS inputs)
09 March,2026 03:35 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
