hardeep puri

An India-linked supertanker, Sarv Shakti, has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor under intense pressure due to Middle East tensions. This passage marks a significant breakthrough for India, the world's second-largest LPG consumer, as it secures essential cooking fuel amid disrupted supply chains and a US blockade on Iran-linked shipping.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri heads to Qatar on April 9-10 amidst Middle East tensions and global energy supply worries. This visit follows a US-Iran ceasefire, but the Strait of Hormuz remains a concern for India's crucial oil imports. The trip aims to secure India's energy interests amid geopolitical uncertainties, as fuel prices have recently risen.

Bangladesh's Foreign Minister reiterated calls for former PM Sheikh Hasina's extradition during his India visit, marking the new government's first official approach. Discussions also covered energy cooperation, visa easing, and increased diesel and fertilizer supplies. Dhaka emphasized a "Bangladesh First" foreign policy, while India expressed a desire to strengthen bilateral ties.

The windfall tax will also help the Centre partly offset the impact of the excise duty cut. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs chairman Vivek Chaturvedi said the windfall tax on exports will result in a gain of about Rs 1,500 crore in the first fortnight while the govt will have to forgo over Rs 7,000 crore in revenue because of the excise duty cut. He said the export tax will be reviewed fortnightly.

An empowered group of officials has begun assessing demand and supply chains to mitigate the impact of the West Asia conflict. The government is prioritizing food and fuel availability, exploring alternative import sources and potential duty cuts to stabilize prices. Efforts are underway to secure LPG supplies, with a focus on diversifying from West Asian sources.

West Asia's escalating conflict is severely impacting India's premium basmati rice trade, with thousands of crores in payments pending and consignments stuck at ports. This disruption threatens significant losses for Indian traders and could negatively affect farming communities. The government is assessing the broader implications for various Indian sectors exposed to the region.

Opposition parties pledged full support to the government on the Middle East crisis following an all-party meeting. Ministers addressed concerns regarding the Iran-Israel-US conflict's impact on India, including energy supplies and citizen safety. While most parties expressed satisfaction, some, like the TMC, skipped the meeting, and a few voiced lingering concerns about parliamentary debate.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the West Asian crisis, highlighting its negative impact on the global economy and India. He assured that the government is providing full support to the nearly one crore Indians living and working in the Gulf region, with missions in constant contact and advisories being issued.

The Delhi High Court has ordered social media users to remove posts falsely linking Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri's daughter, Himayani Puri, to Jeffrey Epstein within 24 hours. The court noted a prima facie case and potential irreparable harm, directing platforms to take down content if users fail to comply.

Lok Sabha witnessed a heated exchange as Rahul Gandhi's speech on the energy crisis was cut short by Speaker Om Birla. Gandhi was questioned for targeting Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and deviating from the stated notice regarding gas shortages. The opposition had previously accused the Chair of limiting Gandhi's speaking time.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's daughter has filed a plea in the Delhi High Court, seeking legal action against individuals and online platforms. She alleges defamatory content linking her to Jeffrey Epstein is being circulated, causing significant damage to her reputation. The petition requests an injunction against further publication, removal of existing material, and compensation for damages.

"I am in receipt of representation from the Bangalore Hotels Association (Regd.) regarding concerns related to the continuity of commercial LPG supply to restaurants, hotels and other establishments in the hospitality sector. The restaurant and food service industry relies significantly on commercial LPG for daily kitchen operations. Unlike several other sectors, most commercial kitchens currently do not have immediate alternatives such as PNG connectivity or electric cooking systems at scale," Surya wrote in the letter.

Opposition parties have sharply criticised the BJP-led government following a Rs 60 increase in domestic LPG cylinder prices and Rs 115 for commercial cylinders. Leaders from Congress and TMC accused Prime Minister Modi of burdening households with rising costs, while the government assured sufficient fuel supplies amidst West Asia tensions.