News Broadcasting
TV channels told to ‘clean up’ their content or face consequences
NEW DELHI: The government today came down heavily on various private sector television channels on issues relating to content described as `indecent’ and threatened to invoke rules and regulations if some spring cleaning is not done.
However, while not contradicting the government stand on the need to clean up the small screen of so-called adult stuff, the broadcast industry said it was ready to comply with rules and obtain certification from the Censor Board too, if necessary, provided there is adequate infrastructure to do the job quickly.
In a meeting today at the I&B ministry — surprisingly poorly attended by the industry — the issue of content on TV was discussed. It was categorically conveyed to the industry that the government was unhappy with the “non-cooperation” being extended by TV channels, which had promised self-censorship, but have done nothing more than pay lip service to the cause.
It was also highlighted that complaints regarding the fare shown on channels had been flowing in from various sources, indicative of the fact that the matter is of grave concern.
One of the possible actions that could be taken by the government is the non-registration of TV channels beaming into India under a proposed law on downlinking. Till that piece of legislation comes into effect, the government today said that action would be taken against errant channels under the programming guidelines listed in the Cable TV (Networks) Regulation Act, 1995.
The government also feels that apart from music videos, and film promos, various channels air films, certified `A’, that are not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition.
Interestingly, at the meeting, a representative from a Punjabi music channel said that there is no facility for getting certification for music videos in Punjab and getting it done in Delhi would be time consuming in a cut-throat and competitive market place. Censor Board chief and media personality Anupam Kher, who was present during the meeting, did not have any specific explanation to offer on this.
While the government did not bring up specific cases or instances of truant TV channels, it was felt that some music channels have been airing videos that were getting more explicit in nature.
“We did not take up individual cases, but feel that music channels, specially regional language ones like Punjabi, are the culprits and air stuff that would make anybody see red,” a senior ministry official said after the meeting.
But Kher did make a point that over the past six months, he has written about 250 letters to various channels on the issue of content and cautioning them to show some restraint. The response from the channels has been far from satisfactory, Kher made clear at the meeting.
A senior representative of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, an apex body of broadcasters operating in India, who was also present during the meeting is understood to have told the government that most IBF members exercise self-restraint and those who don’t are yet to come within the fold of the organisation. IBF has also agreed to frame a code of conduct relating to content for its members.
Representatives from Star India, Zee Telefilms, MTV, Enadu, ETC, IBF and government officials attended today’s meeting, amongst others.
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.
