News Broadcasting
MIB takes action on 163 violation cases of Programme Code against private channels in last 3 years
Mumbai: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has taken action in 163 cases in the last three years and the current year against private TV channels found in violation with the Programme Code. The ministry took action through the issuance of advisories, warnings, apology scroll orders, and off-air orders.
MIB had issued an advisory on 23 April to all private satellite TV channels to ensure strict compliance with the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed thereunder.
As per the advisory, the ministry observed that the reporting of the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the recent demolition incident in North-West Delhi were “misleading, sensationalist and have communal overtones.”
Also Read: MIB condemns reporting of Russia-Ukraine conflict and Delhi demolition in advisory
During the monsoon session of Parliament, the Lok Sabha asked the MIB whether it had taken action against TV channels which aired television debates allowing participants to air communally provocative and derogatory remarks. It also asked the government what action it has taken to prevent news channels from airing such debates on communal issues in the future.
All programmes telecast on private satellite TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme Code laid down in the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, framed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1994. The Programme Code, inter alia, provides that no programme should be telecast that contains attacks on religions or communities, or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups, or that promotes communal attitudes.
The Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Rules, inter alia, contains broad guidelines relating to content broadcast on private television channels. The central government has amended the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 to provide for a statutory mechanism for redressal of grievances and complaints of violations of the Programme Code and Advertising Codes of the broadcast by television channels.
The Rules provide for three levels of complaint redressal mechanisms: Level I by the broadcaster; Level II by the self-regulating bodies of the broadcasters; and Level III by the oversight mechanism of the central government.
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.
