THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds virtual meeting with Chief Ministers to discuss fuel supply and inflation in the wake of West Asia crisis.
- Government slashes domestic levies on petrol and diesel to ensure adequate availability; Imposes export duty on diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel.
- Security concerns in West Asia rise amid escalating threat to Gulf nations; Diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate the situation.
- Defence Acquisition Council clears deals of over 2 lakh crore rupees to boost defence capabilities.
- Parliament clears Finance Bill and Appropriation (No. 2) Bill; Both Houses adjourned till Monday.
- And Indian archers win ten medals including two gold at Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament in Bangkok.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a meeting with the Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories virtually. The meeting is reviewing the States’ preparedness and plans in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict. The discussion also focuses on fuel supply, inflation, and logistics amid global tensions.
The Chief Ministers of election-bound states are not participating in the meeting due to the Model Code of Conduct. The Cabinet Secretariat will hold a separate meeting with the chief secretaries of poll-bound Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry. This is the first time that the Prime Minister is holding a meeting with the Chief Ministers on the West Asia conflict which started on February 28.
<><><>
The Centre today reduced the central excise duty on Petrol and Diesel by 10 rupees per liter each for domestic consumption and also imposed export duties on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to ensure adequate availability and protect consumers from rising global oil prices triggered by the West Asia crisis. Addressing the Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent Developments in West Asia, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Vivek Chaturvedi said the move aims to discourage exports at a time when international prices have surged sharply.
During the Inter Ministerial briefing, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma said, India currently has sufficient crude inventories, with supplies secured for the next two months.
The Central Government has also decided to increase the commercial LPG allocation of states to 70 percent, with 20 percent allocation given to industries such as steel, automobile, textile and other labour intensive industries.
The External Affairs Ministry today said India continues to be in touch with all concerned countries for the safe transit of its ships to meet the country’s energy requirements. Briefing media in New Delhi this afternoon, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said four ships laden with LPG have arrived in India after crossing Strait of Hormuz so far.
<><><>
Director General of CII, Chandrajit Banerjee has welcomed the Government’s intervention to cushion the economy from energy price shocks. In a statement, Mr Banerjee said the measures on fuel pricing and LPG allocation will stabilise costs, sustain industrial operations, and protect households. He added, industry stands ready to partner closely to reinforce supply resilience and maintain economic stability in a volatile environment.
<><><>
The security landscape in West Asia has shifted sharply as the conflict involving US-Israel and Iran has expanded, placing Gulf nations under an increasing threat. In the UAE, air defence systems intercepted six ballistic missiles and nine drones launched from Iran earlier today. In Kuwait, authorities confirmed strikes on key maritime infrastructure. Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait city and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on Bubiyan Island were hit by drones and cruise missiles. In Saudi Arabia, defence systems intercepted four drones over the Eastern Province.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation are ongoing, with multiple channels of negotiation currently underway amid rising regional tensions. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi has called for Gulf states to be included in ongoing negotiations as concern grows over President Donald Trump’s decision to extend the pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6.
More from our West Asia correspondent:
“Gulf officials say the growing security threat is also driven by concerns over economic stability and long-term development plans. Regional leaders fear that attacks targeting major commercial hubs such as ports and airports could undermine investor confidence. Despite a reported U.S. pause on targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, Gulf facilities continue to face risks. Qatar has declared force majeure on some LNG exports, while Kuwait has reported power disruptions, increasing pressure for a decisive resolution rather than a prolonged standoff. Within the GCC, Oman continues to advocate for diplomacy and supports a 15-point peace framework, Vinod Kumar, Akashvani News, Dubai.”
<><><>
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today cleared proposals worth two lakh 38 thousand crore rupees to augment defence capabilities. Mr Singh accorded Acceptance of Necessity for various proposals of the three Services, the highest in any given Financial Year. More from our correspondent:
“For the Indian Army, DAC approved Defence Tracked System, Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition, High Capacity Radio Relay, Dhanush Gun System and Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System. The Air Defence Tracked System will provide real time Air Defence Control and Reporting capability, while the High Capacity Radio Relay will provide reliable and fail proof communication. The Dhanush Gun System will enhance the artillery’s capabilities to engage targets at longer ranges in all terrains with enhanced lethality and accuracy. For the Indian Air Force, the Acceptance of Necessity was approved for the procurement of Medium Transport Aircraft, S-400 Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile System, Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft and overhaul of Su-30 Aero engine Aggregates. Meanwhile, Acceptance of Necessity was accorded for Heavy Duty Air Cushion Vehicles for the Indian Coast Guard. With Rishu Jaiswal, Vishnu P S, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
<><><>
Parliament today gave its nod to the Finance Bill 2026 and the Appropriation (No. 2) Bill 2026 with the Rajya Sabha returning it after consideration, completing the Budgetary exercise. The Lok Sabha had already passed the Finance Bill 2026 and the Appropriation (No. 2) Bill 2026. The Finance Bill seeks to give effect to the financial proposals of the Central Government for the financial year 2026-2027. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary moved the Bill in the House.
Replying to the discussion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, the government is committed to shielding its citizens from global oil price shocks while maintaining supply stability in a highly volatile international environment. The Finance Minister said, Finance Bill was drafted with reforms in mind.
Initiating the discussion, Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil said, there are no serious changes in the tax structure, but the government has done only a little tinkering.
BJP MP Sanjay Seth, Saket Gokhale of Trinamool Congress, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal of Aam Aadmi Party among others also participated in the debate.
Both the houses have been adjourned till Monday.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Phase-1 of Noida International Airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh tomorrow.
<><><>
The Election Commission today said that one thousand 955 candidates are in the fray for elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and bye-elections of four states, which will go to polls on the 9th of April. In a statement, the poll body said that 722 candidates from Assam, 890 candidates from Kerala and 294 from Puducherry will contest the elections.
Here is a report from Thiruvananthapuram Assembly constituency in Keralam :
“Thiruvananthapuram Assembly constituency in Keralam has 11 candidates in the fray. Three political fronts, the NDA, LDF, and UDF, have fielded their candidates in this constituency in the state capital. In this sitting seat held by the ruling LDF, Sudheer Karamana, an LDF backed Independent, is contesting. The UDF has fielded C. P. John of the Communist Marxist Party Kerala, while the NDA candidate is Karaman Jayan of the BJP. Adv. Sen of the BSP, A. Saroopa of SUCI Communist and six other Independent candidates are also in the fray. In the previous Assembly elections, Antony Raju of the Janadhipathya Kerala Congress, an ally of the LDF, won the seat with a margin of 7,089 votes. Smithy M, Akashvani News, Thiruvananthapuram.”
The Indian National Congress today released a list of 16 candidates for the Puducherry Assembly elections, a day after nominations were finalised.
<><><>
\In West Bengal , clashes broke out between two communities at three locations in the Murshidabad district today during Ram Navami processions, leaving several people injured and prompting authorities to impose emergency restrictions. Incidents of vandalism, looting, and arson were reported throughout the day. Authorities have since issued orders under Section 163 of BNS, banning public gatherings across the town to prevent further violence. The unrest reportedly began at the Phultala traffic junction in Raghunathganj following disturbances created during a Ram Navami processions.
<><><>
In Ladakh, at least five people have lost their lives in a snow avalanche that struck near Zoji La Pass today. According to initial reports, several others have also been injured in the incident and rescue is still going on. Further details are awaited. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has expressed concern over the unfortunate incident.
<><><>
In archery, India won ten medals at the Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament Stage 1 in Bangkok today. Compound archers dominated the competition, taking mixed team gold and sweeping the entire men’s individual podium. India finished with two gold, four silver and four bronze medals.
<><><>
In Khelo India Tribal Games, Karnataka extended its commanding lead atop the medal standings with 13 gold five silver and one bronze, powered by dominant performances in swimming on the third day. Odisha remained in the second place with six gold medals, while Assam held third place with two. In weightlifting, Arunachal Pradesh made a strong impact by winning two gold medals. The women’s football group stage witnessed one-sided contests, with Gujarat thrashing Andhra Pradesh 25-0 and Jharkhand defeating Assam 9-1.
<><><>
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Thunderstorms accompanied with hailstorms over Bihar, West Bengal and Sikkim for tomorrow. Similar conditions will prevail over Gangetic West Bengal, and Odisha till Tuesday.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds virtual meeting with Chief Ministers to discuss fuel supply and inflation in the wake of West Asia crisis.
- Government slashes domestic levies on petrol and diesel to ensure adequate availability; Imposes export duty on diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel.
- Security concerns in West Asia rise amid escalating threat to Gulf nations; Diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate the situation.
- Defence Acquisition Council clears deals of over 2 lakh crore rupees to boost defence capabilities.
- Parliament clears Finance Bill and Appropriation (No. 2) Bill; Both Houses adjourned till Monday.
- And Indian archers win ten medals including two gold at Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament in Bangkok.
<><><>
