News Broadcasting
I&B steps up content regulation with directive on horrow show timings
NEW DELHI: Rapped by the government, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), an apex body of broadcasters operating in India, has formed a panel which will look into the slotting of horror shows on private satellite channels so that such shows are not easily accessible to children.
Reason: a missive from the Information and Broadcasting ministry on the issue of horror shows and their effect on children. The formation of the panel on horror shows – comprising Star India chief executive Peter Mukerjea, SET India chief executive Kunal Dasgupta and Sri Adhikari Brothers’ vice-chairman Markand Adhikari – also coincides with certain steps on content regulation that the Indian government proposes to take.
The Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the I & B ministry will be meeting tomorrow to discuss ways which can possibly give the government powers to control what it feels is undesirable programming on TV channels.
Broadcasting industry sources confirmed that the IBF has formed a panel to look into the issue of horror shows as it received a letter from the I&B ministry saying various representations have been made to it on rampant airing of horror and thriller shows during prime time which can have negative effects on children.
The sources indicated that the IBF panel might look at shifting such programming on to late night slots or at times when children are not likely to be watching television.
Programmes like Aahat and Achanak on Sony, Shhh…Koi Hai on Star Plus and Khauff on Sabe TV usually air at 9 pm or 10 pm on weekends currently.
The parliamentary panel tomorrow will discuss ways on how the government can enforce a control on content being put out on television channels, including commercials that have been termed objectionable like the Fair & Lovely cream ad – which, as per a petition to the I&B ministry by a human rights commission, promoted colour prejudice and is biased against the dark skinned girl child.
According to government sources, the move to get some hold over content on television also comes in the wake of frequent objections raised by members of Parliament on un-Indian like programming on the small screen.
Meanwhile, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) is close to finalising a programming code that is to be followed by the member-broadcasters.
According to early information available with indiantelevision.com, the IBF programming code, aimed at self-regulation, is a lengthy document running into almost 100 pages. It will be put up for the board’s approval once it is finalised.
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.
