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Zee Business is the first Business Channel to Interview Narendra Modi
MUMBAI: Zee Business, India’s first and only hindi business news channel will be telecasting the first ever interview of Gujarat CM Mr.Narendra Modi given to any business News Channel.
With “Vibrant Gujarat’s Investor’s Summit” just round the corner the Gujarat CM asserted that he wants to make Gujarat the leader in having SEZs. He told Zee Business in an exclusive interview that apart from Reliance Petrolium, Essar Steel, Essar Oil, Adani Group and Zydus Cadila, many more world-renowned companies have been planning to invest in the state. He said ” 33 Special Economic Zones have already got approval from the central govt.”
When asked the reason on the less number of automobile companies in the state he said that the state govt. is also planning to have Special Economic Zone for the automobile industry, which is worth $ 3 trillion worldwide. Rajkot is proposed as a place to establish he automobile SEZ. He further adds ” As Rajkot provides all the auto parts to the big automobile companies, it will be advantageous to have an automobile SEZ here. We also have the advantage of a port nearby.” A delegation of Japan Chamber of Commerce visited the state along with the Japanese ambassador and he was very optimistic about the proposed SEZ set up.
Mr. Modi is looking forward to IT industry that has so far been the base in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka etc. but now Gujarat will also boom in this sector. The government has signed MOU worth Rs. 11000 Crore. With various companies like Satyam, TCS, Infosys etc. there are going to be 4 IT parks from the DLF, Rahejas, and Iscon very soon.
The most troublesome question was of Octroi in seven parts of the states, which was the reason of strong demonstrations in the state against it. The govt. has promised its withdrawal as VAT was there. Mr.Modi said “We want to withdraw octroi but we are finding some alternative way to settle the issue.”
Mr.Modi also disclosed his long cherished dream of having the tallest building of the country in Gujarat.
He also mentioned that the Jyotirgram Yojana which would provide 24 hrs electricity to 18000 villages of the state. The expenses are going to be as big as Rs.1200 Cr. to make this scheme operational.
In the “Vibrant Gujrat Investors Summit” Gujarat is expected to sign some 1,75,000 MOUs.
Watch Zee Business on Monday at 9 P.M. for the detailed interview.
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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.
