LPG Sold for ₹1,500 on Black Market Amid Panic Buying Over Strait of Hormuz War Fears

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:30pm on 09 Mar 2026,Monday India

Panic buying of cooking gas cylinders has been reported in several parts of India as the war involving Iran raises fears of supply disruptions through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Long queues were seen outside LPG agencies in cities such as Noida, while some consumers reported buying cylinders on the black market for up to ₹1,500. However, the government has denied any nationwide shortage and said the country has adequate reserves. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured that supplies remain stable, attributing the rush to panic bookings and temporary booking restrictions introduced to prevent hoarding.

Read More at India Today

Panic Buying Pushes LPG Cylinder to Rs 1,500 in Parts of India as Iran War Triggers Fears, Government Says No Shortage

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:01pm on 09 Mar 2026,Monday India

Long queues formed outside LPG agencies in several parts of India as the Iran war raised fears of supply disruption. In some areas, people reported buying cylinders on the black market for up to Rs 1,500. Officials said there is no nationwide shortage of cooking gas in India. Government sources said the country has adequate LPG stocks and households should not panic. “India has sufficient LPG supplies and strategic reserves to manage the situation,” officials said. Bookings have risen by about 15–20% in some regions in recent days. Oil companies also increased the waiting period between bookings to control hoarding. Officials said India is exploring imports from other countries to ensure steady supply. (PC: India Today)

Read More at India Today

As Oil Moves Above $100 During Iran War, India Focuses More on Securing Supply Than Controlling Prices

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:38pm on 09 Mar 2026,Monday India

Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel as the Iran war disrupted supplies in West Asia. Brent crude climbed close to $120 before easing slightly. The rise followed attacks on oil facilities and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz. India depends on imports for more than 88% of its crude oil needs. Officials said the immediate priority is ensuring steady fuel supply rather than focusing only on price. The Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of global oil trade. Tanker traffic there has slowed sharply. Government sources said Indian refiners are increasing purchases from regions outside Hormuz. They also said stocks of crude oil, petrol, and diesel are rising as more shipments arrive. (PC: The Indian Express)

Read More at The Indian Express

India Has Enough Crude Oil and Fuel Stocks, No Immediate Supply Risk: Govt Sources

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:01pm on 09 Mar 2026,Monday India

India has sufficient crude oil and fuel stocks despite global concerns over possible disruption near the Strait of Hormuz, government sources said. Officials said the country has enough petrol, diesel, LPG and natural gas to meet current demand. They added that there is “no immediate risk” to domestic fuel supply. The government is reviewing the energy situation several times a day. To strengthen supply, refiners and oil marketing companies have been asked to prioritise LPG production. Refineries may increase LPG output further if needed. India is also diversifying energy imports. Officials said the country imports energy from 27 nations. India continues to buy Russian crude, averaging about 1.04 million barrels per day. (PC: India Today)

Read More at India Today

US-Iran War Pushes Indian Stock Market Down and Triggers Opposition Protests in Parliament

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:20am on 09 Mar 2026,Monday India

The ongoing US-Iran conflict in West Asia shook Indian markets and triggered protests in Parliament on Monday. The Sensex fell more than 3%, or around 2,500 points, marking one of the steepest market drops in six years. Over ₹25 lakh crore in investor wealth has been wiped out since the conflict began. Opposition leaders staged protests inside and outside Parliament and demanded a detailed discussion on the crisis. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the conflict “has now impacted India's energy security and economic stability”. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the government is closely monitoring developments. “Our national interest, including energy security and trade flows, will always be paramount,” he told Parliament. (PC: HT)

Read More at Hindustan Times

Protocol Dispute Erupts in West Bengal as Droupadi Murmu Criticises Venue Change for Santal Meet

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 02:11pm on 08 Mar 2026,Sunday India

A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment over the State government’s handling of protocol during the International Santal Conference in Darjeeling district. The event’s venue was shifted from Bidhannagar under Phansidewa block to Gossainpur near Bagdogra, prompting concerns from the President’s office. Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the development “shameful and unprecedented”, accusing the ruling All India Trinamool Congress government of crossing limits. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the criticism, saying the President should not “engage in politics as per advice of the BJP”. The disagreement has triggered a sharp political exchange between the Centre and the State government. (PC: X)

Read More at The Hindu

PM Modi Inaugurates India’s First Ring Metro in Delhi, Opens Pink and Magenta Line Corridors

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:26am on 08 Mar 2026,Sunday India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated two new Delhi Metro corridors, including India’s first operational ring metro line. He opened the 12.3-km Majlis Park–Maujpur-Babarpur stretch of the Pink Line and the 9.9-km Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park extension of the Magenta Line. The Pink Line now forms a circular metro network around parts of Delhi. The new corridor has nine elevated stations and a bridge over the Yamuna. The Magenta Line extension adds seven stations and improves connectivity in north Delhi. Services started at 3 pm on Sunday. The metro projects are part of development works worth about Rs 33,500 crore aimed at improving public transport and reducing travel time.

Read More at India Today

India Orders Refiners to Maximise LPG Output for Domestic Use Amid Iran War Energy Crunch

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:02pm on 06 Mar 2026,Friday India

Amid an energy squeeze triggered by the Iran war, India has directed refiners to maximise LPG production and sell it only to state-run companies—Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited—for domestic use. A government order also asked refiners to avoid using propane and butane, key LPG components, for petrochemical production. The move comes after supply disruptions caused by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and a drone attack that shut Ras Laffan LNG Terminal. With India importing nearly 85% of its energy needs, the government has also secured crude supplies by purchasing Russian Urals oil after receiving a temporary waiver from the United States Department of the Treasury. (PC: AFP)

Read More at Hindustan Times

Karnataka Plans Social Media Ban for Children Under 16 to Address Teen Mental Health and Digital Addiction

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:01am on 06 Mar 2026,Friday India

The Karnataka government has proposed banning social media use for children under 16 to curb rising concerns about digital addiction and its impact on teenagers’ mental health. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the plan while presenting the 2026–27 state budget, saying excessive mobile and social media use is affecting students’ behaviour, academic focus, and emotional well-being. The policy aims to protect minors from harmful online exposure and reduce screen time. If implemented, Karnataka would become the first Indian state with such a restriction. The move reflects a growing global debate on regulating children’s online activity, with countries like Australia and others considering similar age-based social media limits. 

Read More at News 18

Two IAF Pilots Killed After Sukhoi-30MKI Fighter Jet Crashes During Training Mission in Assam’s Karbi Anglong

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:53am on 06 Mar 2026,Friday India

Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed after a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a routine training mission. The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat Air Force Station and reportedly lost radar contact around 7:42 pm before crashing about 60 km away in a hilly area. The deceased officers were identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to the families. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. (PC: IAF)

Read More at Mint

Menu