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IBF for one city CAS rollout initially
NEW DELHI: A delegation of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) today made a strong pitch for some relaxation in the government-mandated deadline for implementation of conditional access (July 14) in front of some policy makers some of whom, however, felt that the foundation itself is divided over the issue of CAS.
The broadcasters’ meeting with the Left party Member of Parliament Somnath Chatterjee-chaired Standing committee on IT, Telecom and convergence, it seems, did not have the impact that some would have liked to have.
That some of the parliamentarians felt that IBF is a divided house may be the result of the presence of Zee Telefilms chairman and managing director Subhash Chandra who is reported to have conveyed to the Standing Committee members that though India, at present, does not have the capacity to manufacture set top boxes needed to access pay channels in a post-CAS regime, but the boxes could be had from some S.E Asian countries at reasonable prices of about $ 48 a piece.
Some of the broadcasters like Sony, Star and ESPN Star Sports have been maintaining that lack of adequate number of STBs in the country from July 14 would lead to widespread chaos and confusion in Indian cable homes in the metros.
At the moment, that stand seems to carry some weight as despite Zee’s assertions on the easy availability of boxes at reasonable prices, quite contrary most multi-system operators have not finalised the orders for the boxes yet, which is likely to frustrate cable consumers post July 14.
According to political sources, the members of the parliamentary panel heard the broadcasters’ viewpoints and reserved taking any stand till its next meeting when the information and broadcasting ministry secretary is scheduled to appear before the policy makers and give the government’s viewpoint on CAS and related issues like availability of boxes.
The three-point agenda of today’s meeting included seeking reduction in duties on import of STBs, get some relaxation in the rollout of CAS, which can be probably restricted to one city (probably Chennai) instead of the four metros and that more than 30 channels should be part of the basic tier of free to air channels that should be made mandatory all over the country.
At one point, according to the sources, SET India CEO Kunal Dasgupta is understood to have said that if CAS is implemented in an orderly and phased manner, then down the line six months later even Sony may look at manufacturing STBs in India. SET is part of the Japan-based Sony group.
One of the MPs, who attended today’s meeting, later said: “The lobbies and counter lobbies for CAS seems to indicate that this is all a game of advertising revenue and the impact of CAS on such revenue.”
Another parliamentarian felt that the broadcasters looked a divided lot; a clear division that can be seen as a battle between the Indian broadcasters and their foreign-owned counterparts.
Those who attended today’s meeting included Prasar Bharati CEO K.S. Sarma, Chandra and his brother Jawahar Goel, Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea and IBF secretariat’s Bhuwan Lall.
Sahara TV president Mahesh Prasad did not attend the meeting with the Standing Committee as, according to sources close to him, he did not want to be a mute participant in a process where he had fundamental disagreements.
The IBF is slated to meet on Monday to further discuss the issue of CAS as also a show cause notice that has been issued to Prasad.
But the big question is: whether petitioning before the Standing Committee would bear some results? Simply because the panel on its own constitutionally cannot take up any issue (like deferment of CAS) , which have to be referred to it by Parliament.
Will Parliament awaken to the impending chaos that may result post July 14? Intezaar kare kuch samay.
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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.
