ITV News
What is the Essential Commodities Act that India invoked to safeguard fuel amid Iran war?
Government prioritises household gas and transport fuel as Iran conflict threatens global oil supply
MUMBAI: India has invoked the Essential Commodities Act (1955) to safeguard the nation’s energy security as the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US intensifies. With the Strait of Hormuz facing potential closure, the government is moving to prevent fuel shortages and stop price gouging in the domestic market. By triggering the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order 2026, officials have established a strict hierarchy for gas distribution, with the primary goal of ensuring that homes and public transport do not run out of fuel, even if global supplies are choked by the war.
Under the new rules, a tiered allocation system has been mandated based on the average consumption of the past six months. Household piped gas, LPG (cooking gas), and CNG for transport have been given top priority and will receive 100 per cent of their required supply. The fertilizer sector has seen its supply cut to 70 per cent to divert resources elsewhere, while non-essential industrial units are restricted to 80 per cent of their usual intake. Additionally, refineries are now prohibited from using propane for plastic production, as these gases must be redirected to create LPG for kitchens.
Legally, the Essential Commodities Act is a crisis-era law that allows the Centre to control the production and distribution of vital goods. In this instance, it grants the government the power to set price caps and prevent traders from hoarding fuel in anticipation of higher prices. While the 2020 amendment to the Act limited government intervention in agricultural markets, it specifically retained the authority to intervene during wartime or “extraordinary circumstances.”
The ripple effects of the West Asian conflict are already being felt in major cities, with hubs like Pune and Bengaluru reporting difficulties in securing gas cylinders for commercial businesses. By invoking these emergency powers now, the government aims to stabilise the domestic market before disruptions at sea escalate into a full-scale energy crisis at home.
ITV News
Libas launches Gerua workwear brand with AI-led design
100 plus SKUs under Rs 2,500; targets young professionals with online-first range.
MUMBAI: Dressing for the job may soon start with data because Libas is letting AI pick the wardrobe. Libas has entered the workwear segment with the launch of Gerua, an AI-powered brand aimed at India’s growing base of young professionals. The move marks a strategic expansion for the ultra-fast fashion label as it looks to tap into shifting workplace dressing habits.
Gerua debuts as an online-first brand with a catalogue of more than 100 SKUs, spanning button-down shirts, kurta sets and structured suits. The pricing is positioned at the accessible end of the spectrum, with kurtas starting at Rs 499, kurta sets from Rs 999, and the entire range priced below Rs 2,500.
The brand is designed to address a familiar gap workwear that balances comfort, versatility and appropriateness for modern Indian workplaces. With younger employees entering diverse, less formal work environments, the demand for clothing that transitions seamlessly through the day is on the rise.
The launch is supported by a campaign titled “Outfit Sahi Toh Sab Sahi”, fronted by Anya Singh. The films draw on everyday office moments from quiet camaraderie to unexpected workplace situations suggesting that what one wears can subtly shape confidence and presence on the job.
Gerua’s positioning leans heavily on AI-led insights, with Libas aiming to anticipate trends rather than react to them. The approach reflects a broader shift in fashion, where data is increasingly informing design, inventory and consumer targeting.
Available on Libas’ website, app and leading e-commerce platforms, the new brand signals a clear bet, as workplaces evolve, so will wardrobes and increasingly, they will be built as much by algorithms as by aesthetics.
