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CCI powers worry House panel members
NEW DELHI: Some members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, which recently submitted its report on the Communication Convergence Bill 2001, have expressed their reservation on the formation of the Communications Commission of India (CCI) and questioned the effectiveness of the proposed super-regulator that will have jurisdiction over virtually every field of communication, including telecom, broadcasting, cable and IT.
Pointing out that due to its “vast responsibilities” the CCI can become a “monolith”, in a ‘precautionary note’ (included in the report of the parliamentary panel) two Members of Parliament have said, “Due its vast powers and establishment, the CCI can become a hindrance to rapid evolution and convergence of technologies and services.”
If Parliament takes note of the missive from the MPs, it could lead to the curtailing of the powers of the CCI. It has been further observed that the CCI can restrict freedom of information for consumers and freedom of action for service providers if its powers are “not used properly” and over-arching powers can be “misused through a tangle of rules, regulations, licences and registration requirements.”
Recently IT, telecom and parliamentary affairs minister Pramod Mahajan had told indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of a Delhi economic summit that “if need be another round of discussion can held on the Bill” considering wide ranging views which have been expressed through the Standing Committee’s report.
The note from the two MPs also caution on the control that the government of the day can have over the CCI.
“By controlling appointments, the government of the day can exercise too much remote control over the Commission. There can be a risk of excessive curbs over the independence and autonomy of the Commission as has happened, for instance, with Prasar Bharati,” the note points out with great accuracy.
If India manages to enact a piece of legislation to govern the convergence space, then it would be only the second country in the world, after Malaysia, till now to have such legislation.
Enumerating the several ways in which the government of the day and the CCI can “enhance authoritarian practices if not used prudently”, the note from the MPs state their assertions may be considered during the implementation of the provisions of the Bill.
Meanwhile, one of the recommendations of the Standing Committee pours cold water over Prasar Bharati’s ambitions to have a monopoly over telecast rights, specially those relating to sports, of national and international importance in the name of public service.
Noting that both Doordarshan and All India Radio offer valuable services to the general public through their terrestrial networks’ vast reach and that the general public should not be deprived of viewing of events in the name of free competition, the parliamentary panel has said CCI needs to be careful on such issues.
Suggesting that Clause 31 of the Bill should be rephrased, the Committee has said the Clause should read: “The Commission shall give adequate opportunity of hearing to all persons interested therein and also ensure that the principles and terms determined by it do not dissuade broadcasters from bidding for the rights to broadcasts any such event (which have been notified under the aforementioned Clause).”
Earlier this year, Prasar Bharati had petitioned the information and broadcasting ministry that because of high cost of acquiring telecast rights DD and AIR are generally left out in the cold in situations where private satellite broadcasters hold sway because of their financial muscle. In this regard it had also said that any national and/or international event which is of importance to the Indian viewing public should also necessarily come to the public service broadcaster and not be the exclusive prerogative of some private broadcasters.
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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.
