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UP cable ops continue strike
NEW DELHI: Wholl blink first in the state of Uttar Pradesh? The cable operators, who are on the warpath blacking out cable services in some parts of the state, or the government that has termed the strike illegal?
Even as indications are on that smaller cities like Azamgarh and Bijnaur might also join in the agitation, comes news that the cable ops have appealed to the prime minister for intervention in the matter.
Despite strong-arm tactics being used by the state government, the agitation of the cable operators today spread to cities like Varanasi, Allahabad and Gorakhpur.
The reason for the cable ops of Uttar Pradesh to go on an indefinite strike from Friday is the imposition of a high 30 per cent entertainment tax by the state government.
Agency reports from Lucknow stated that UP Cable TV Udyog Sangh president Rajendra Singh stuck to his guns, saying the operators would pay only Rs 10 per connection and not the 30 per cent tax imposed by the government.
”We only agreed to pay Rs 10 per connection and not 30 per cent on the highest monthly rent of the consumer,” Singh was quoted by the United News of India as saying.
The cable operators are adamant to continue with their protest against the ”irrational” entertainment tax policy, but the state government remains rigid and has already termed the strike illegal, announcing strict action against the striking operators.
According to cable operators union leader Singh, operators charge rates on the basis of the income group of the subscriber that varies from Rs 100 to Rs 250. But the state governments entertainment tax department had served notices calculating tax on the basis of ‘highest rate’, he added.
This is not the first time that the cable ops of the state had to resort to a strike , putting cable subscribers to much inconvenience. Earlier this year, the operators had gone on a flash strike, paralysing cable services in almost the whole of Uttar Pradesh, including large areas of Ghaziabd that is on the outskirts of Delhi.
After a few days of protests, the then government, headed by Mayawati, had asked the agitating cable ops to withdraw their stir and promised to look into the matter.
This time round, the state government, under the chief ministership of Samajwadi partys Mulayam Singh, till now has maintained its stridency.
Uttar Pradeshs principal secretary (taxes and registration) Naresh Dayal had told mediapersons in Lucknow yesterday that the government would not concede to the demands of the operators. Claiming that 30 per cent tax on cable network was enforced in 1995, agencies quoted him as saying that a government survey proved that the operators in Lucknow were evading Rs 20,00,000 per month by showing less numbers of connections. ”How can they protest when the cinema industry in the state is paying 60 per cent as tax”, he had questioned.
The cable ops had stopped beaming all private satellite entertainment and news channels from 9 pm on Friday in Lucknow, the state capital, protesting the levy of entertainment tax.
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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.
