News Broadcasting
Listed media stocks rise prior to budget
MUMBAI: Media scrips rebounded today and beat the downturn which they have been witnessing recently. In Budget 2003-4, the positive impetus for the media sector is likely to come from the drop in the duties of set top boxes, say analysts. The marginal tax rate change will not impact the listed entertainment companies are already paying taxes at this rate.
On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Zee Telefilms scrip opened the day at Rs 81; climbed to Rs 83.25 – up 2.78 per cent. A total of 595,571 shares were traded. The P/E ratio is 24.77 and the EPS at Rs 3.35. The scrip bucked a five-day losing trend today and is expected to benefit from the budget related announcements and post conditional access system implementation.
On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the scrip opened at Rs 80.65; rose 2.71 per cent to end the day at Rs 83.40. The total volume traded was 1,315,739.
On the BSE, the Balaji Telefilms scrip opened the day at Rs 81; climbed to Rs 73.95 – up 2.57 per cent. A total of 13,529 shares were traded. On NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 72.20; rose 2.56 per cent to end the day at Rs 74. The total volume traded was 54,073.
In its report dated 18 February 2003, Investment bank Merrill Lynch had maintained its `buy` rating on media major Balaji Telefilms due to its share of programmes in the Top 100 list.
DSP Merrill Lynch’s report says that the conditional access scenario (CAS) would lead to premium pricing for Balaji`s channel-driver branded content. The main growth drivers would be high value weekend programming and continued strong ratings of existing on-air shows
On the BSE, the Mukta Arts scrip opened the day at Rs 61; climbed to Rs 61.40 – up 0.66 per cent. A total of 23,308 shares were traded. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 60.25; rose 0.49 per cent to end the day at Rs 60.30. The total volume traded was 39,654.
On the BSE, the Television Eighteen scrip opened the day at Rs 60.45; climbed to Rs 60.95 – up 0.83 per cent. A total of 6,067 shares were traded. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 60.90; rose 1.75 per cent to end the day at Rs 61.20. The total volume traded was 15,832.
On the BSE, the Cinevista scrip opened the day at Rs 26.65; climbed to Rs 26.80 – up 0.56 per cent. A total of 2,200 shares were traded. On the NSE, the scrip opened at Rs 27.20; fell to Rs 26.00. The total volume traded was 2,105.
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
