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Zee Media Exclusive interview with former Railway Minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal, who says “there is a conspiracy” to implicate him in Cash-for-Promotion
New Delhi: Zee Media aired the first Television Interview of Pawan Bansal today, the former Minister of Railways, since his implication in the Cash-for-Promotion saga. He said there was a conspiracy being hatched against him since he held a very prominent position and was trying to eradicate a lot of ills that were plaguing the system.
In an exclusive interview with Rahul Sinha of Zee Media, he said, “I’m not involved in any wrong doing and I am not an accomplice in the Cash-for-Promotion case. These are vested interests of people who are trying to malign me and my family’s image through false accusations and I’m sure that the courts will finally be able to bring the truth out.”
He shared the various dates and the file movements on the issue to show that he was not involved in any way in the highly publicized issue. Bansal said that had there been even an iota of possibility of his involvement, he would not have been there to help the prosecution. He also pointed out that the file movement and the various conversations, said to be made on his behalf, do not gel.
He went on to say that he was clean and that there was a conspiracy to implicate him in the matter. He also shared that he was shocked upon learning that his nephew was embroiled in the act. According to him, CBI has done a thorough investigation and the Courts will bring out the truth in the case. He also said that some of the companies that he is being made an owner of (105 in total) include PSUs and some companies based down south that he doesn’t even has clue of, let aside question of ownership.
He further clarified that he does not think there was an internal conspiracy within the Congress party against him and he believed the party’s leadership will also understand that he has done no wrong. He was just hurt by the way the whole issue panned out and the media reports that accused him of the wrongdoing and pronounced a sentence against him.
Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor, Zee Media said on the occasion, “We have always striven to bring out the truth in all cases of public importance and have given everyone the right to defend themselves. With this interview as well we are trying to give opportunity to the accused to provide his side of the story; it is up to the viewers to make a decision for themselves on the issue.”
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.
