MANGALURU l tuesday l march 10, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 14 l CITY EDITION Why No job scheme for acid attack victims, SC asks states, UTs The Supreme Court on Monday sought to know why a scheme for rehabilitation of acid attack victims through govt jobs has not been formulated Pay allowance, if jobs can’t be given: SC Stringent punishments for perpetrators The court said if logistical issues arise in providing such employment, the state governments could formulate a policy to pay subsistence allowance to the victims. The court was hearing a plea by Shaheen Malik, an acid attack survivor, seeking appropriate directions to states to implement proper measures for the well-being of acid attack survivors ■ ■ The court granted one final opportunity to states and Union Territories to comply with its Jan 27 order directing strong punishment for perpetrators and effective rehabilitation measures for victims That order proposed, among other things, seizure of assets of those found guilty of carrying out acid attacks to compensate the victims 2-judge Bench headed by cji Surya Kant was hearing the case CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI The BIG 33.1cr 50% 18% 1.6cr Household LPG consumers in India Imports make up Commercial LPG usage constitutes Piped natural gas PIPED GAS Restaurants hit While no restriction has been put on piped gas supply as of now, analysts warn some disruption is likely if the war lingers on With commercial cylinders in short supply, Bangalore Hotels Association said restaurants in the city will remain shut from today LPG SHOCKER PICTURE active connections of total domestic LPG consumption of total LPG sold domestic connections OMCs told to meet household demand first; Several states report shortage RA K E SH K U MAR @ New Delhi Amid fears of an imminent shortage of cooking gas amid import disruptions due to the ongoing Iran-Israel war, the Union petroleum ministry on Monday directed state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) to prioritise the supply of LPG cylinders to domestic consumers over commercial users. The ministry also increased the waiting period for LPG booking from 21 days to 25 days to prevent hoarding and black marketing. “All public sector OMCs shall ensure that LPG so procured is supplied/marketed solely to consumers of domestic LPG only,” the Union petroleum ministry said in an order. In the order dated March 9, the government directed all oil refineries and petrochemical complexes in India to utilise propane and butane streams (C3 and C4 gases) to produce only LPG, and instead of using them for other petrochemical products. Refineries have also been barred from diverting these gases for the manufacture of petrochemical derivatives such as plastics. The move comes at a time when India’s LPG imports have $119 Oil breaches $100-mark for 1st time in 4 years Crude oil prices on Monday crossed the $100/barrel mark for the first time in four years with Brent crude touching an intraday high of $119 before cooling to around $102.1 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate also soared above $119.48 per barrel but fell back closer to $100 | P10 been affected due to supply disruptions in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict in the region. India imports more than 50% of its LPG requirements, with around 80% of the imports coming from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. Last week, the government directed OMCs to ramp up LPG production. With supplies from the Gulf region impacted, the government is now diversifying its import sources. According to a petroleum ministry official, India is already in talks with countries including Australia, Norway and Algeria to secure additional LPG supplies. New Delhi recently signed contracts to import around 2.2 million tonnes per annum of LPG from the US, accounting for nearly 10% of the country’s total annual LPG imports. Supplies under these contracts began in January 2026. Meanwhile, several states including Bihar, Maharashtra and Punjab have reported shortages of LPG and fuel. However, the government has clarified that petrol pumps and gas stations are functioning normally and there is no fuel shortage in the country . The decision to prioritise domestic LPG supply over commercial use has, however, drawn concern from businesses. Several industry bodies have written to the government seeking urgent intervention. The National Restaurant Association of India on Monday warned that any disruption in commercial LPG cylinder supply could lead to widespread closure of restaurants. The Bengaluru Hotels Association also said that many restaurants in the city may not be able to operate from Wednesday due to shortage of commercial LPG. India currently has about 33.08 crore active LPG consumers. The country consumed 28 million metric tonnes of LPG for domestic use between April 2025 and March 2026. Khamenei’s son chosen successor Iran named the hard-line Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his late father as supreme leader, a decision that is likely to annoy the US | P9 Iran ships in India Iran had sought permission to dock ships at Indian ports and approval was granted the next day, Jaishankar said. “We believe that this was the right thing to do,” he said Indian focus on peace, diplomacy, safeguarding national interest: EAM J aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi Briefing Parliament on the situation in West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. “India is in favour of peace and urges a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We advocate de-escalation, restraint and ensuring the safety of civilians,” he said. In his suo motu address to both houses of Parliament, Jaishankar said, India’s response to the conflict is guided by three core principles—peace and a return to dialogue and diplomacy the well-being and security of , the Indian community in the Gulf, and safeguarding India’s national interests. There are almost one crore Indian citizens who live and work across the Gulf, including thousands in Iran. The region is key to India’s energy security The Gulf . is also a major trade partner, accounting for $200 billion annually, he said. “The well-being and security of the Indian community in the region is our overriding priority We will . continue to work with the governments of the region towards that end,” he said, adding “our national interest, including energy security and trade flows, will always be paramount.” Jaishankar’s address was met with strong protests from the Opposition demanding a full-fledged debate in both Houses on the situation in West Asia. Most parties in Bengal for 1-2 phase of polls, ECI told S U BH E N D U MAITI @ Kolkata April 26, 1936—March 09, 2026 PanikkaR reshaped modern Indian history KN Panikkar stands alongside the generation that transformed modern Indian history from political narrative to social history; from nationalist teleology to structural analysis, writes Rajan Gurukkal | P8 Almost all political parties in West Bengal on Monday suggested to the Election Commission of India that the upcoming assembly polls in the state be held in one or two phases. The full bench of the ECI met representatives of political parties separately at a private hotel in Kolkata’s New Town as part of its review of the preparations for the polls that are likely in April. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, met representatives of the TMC, BJP, No-confidence motion against CEC coming PR E E THA N AIR @ New Delhi IN signs of heightening friction between the Opposition and the Election Commission of India (ECI), several parties are mulling a notice to move a motion seeking ouster of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, sources said on Monday . The issue was discussed at an INDIA bloc meeting chaired by Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, on Monday said a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, who also pointed out that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is currently holding an indefinite dharna against lakhs of names being deleted in the ongoing poll roll revision in the state. “The CEC has degraded the great seat he occupies,” the TMC leader said. Congress sources said they would support the notice and that other INDIA bloc parties are on the same page. The notice has been drafted collectively said the leader. , As per rules, signatures of at least 100 MPs from Lok Sabha and at least 50 MPs from Rajya Sabha are required to move the notice. The CEC can only be removed on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity . Minister claims CEC asked him to shut up TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya alleged the CEC didn’t want to hear their objections. “He told me ‘shut up’ when I wanted to convey grievances on voter deletion CPI(M), Congress and AAP, among others. The ruling Trinamool Congress and CPM expressed concerns about ‘unbearable’ harassments faced by common citizens during SIR hearings and categorising more than 60 lakh voters as ‘under adjudica- tion’ status. The TMC delegation, comprising ministers Firhad Hakim and Chandrima Bhattacharya and Rajeev Kumar (retired DGP), urged the ECI not to conduct the poll without addressing the discrepancies in the voters’ lists. However, the BJP was noncommittal on the issue of SIR but demanded that polls be held in one to three phases and in a peaceful environment. “We sought the active deployment of 400 companies Central forces already present in the state,” they later told reporters. Officials said the excise department was asked to ensure production and distribution of intoxicants do not increase in the run-up to the polls. The RBI was asked to ensure cash is not used to influence voters. LPG crisis: Bengaluru hotels plan shutdown E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ B e n g a l u r u In a major blow to professionals, students and travellers, the Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association (BBHA) announced on Monday that thousands of hotels could shut from Tuesday The decision comes following an abrupt . halt in the supply of commercial LPG cylinders, leaving thousands of establishments unable to operate. The association said the sudden disruption contradicts a previous promise by oil companies, guaranteeing a steady supply for at least 70 days. Association president PC Rao said because of irregular LPG supplies, tea stalls, bakeries and hotels are hit hard. “The Association has 2,000 members. We spoke to Central ministers. The government should respond immediately The stock will get exhausted in a day in Bengaluru, . where hotels are supplied 40,000 cylinders ,” he said. “Tens of thousands of professionals and students, staying in paying guest accommodations, rely on hotels for food. With the shutdown, they will have to fend for themselves,” said Arun Kumar DT, president, PG Owners’ Welfare Association. Despite sops, Govt drops stadium plan enrolment in on KSIC land in Mysuru govt schools low: Minister thriving E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @Bengaluru THE state government has decided not to construct a stadium on a five-acre land belonging to the Karnataka Silk Industry Corporation (KSIC) at T Narasipura in Mysuru district, Sericulture Minister K Venkatesh told the Assembly on Monday He was respond. ing to a question raised by BJP MLA from Krishnaraja, Srivatsa TS. Venkatesh said KSIC has produced over 3.09 lakh Mysuru silk sarees in the past three years, with daily production ranging from 350 to 400 pieces and earned Rs 220 crore profit from it. “A few officials mis- industry guided the CM about the land. The CM got to know about this and decided not to go ahead with the project,” he said. Srivatsa said there is a demand for Mysuru silk sarees, and women stand in long queues outside KSIC outlets as early as 3am to buy the sarees. “In each of these outlets, close to 500 people can be seen standing in the queue. The government must make these sarees available at these outlets according to the demand. The demand is so huge, sometimes, people put pressure on MLAs to get sarees from godowns. This industry is a profit-making one. If the government can invest more in it, they can fulfil the demand and make more profit,” he said. P7 Earning quick buck Ambulances turn into passenger vehicles in Gadag R a g h o t ta m K o p pa r @ G a d a g Gadag district hospital’s ambulances have reportedly become passenger vehicles. A few people who have visited the KH Patil Institute of Medical Sciences (KHPIMS) alleged that some ambulance drivers are ferrying passengers to and from the hospital campus at Mallasamudra for money . A video footage also went viral on Monday morning. Sources in KHPIMS, however, brushed the allegation aside, saying it could be one driver’s misdemeanour and the authorities would investigate the matter. They confirmed that the KHPIMS director has received a complaint in this regard. An ambulance soliciting passengers near KHIMS campus in Gadag | Express The authorities had ignored several complaints in the past about the practice for want of evidence, but took it seriously after a man recorded the video and posted it on social media platforms. “ Ambulance drivers are in a responsible position and they should not allow any peo- ple inside the emergency vehicle. They should operate only for the needy in emergency situations,” said a KHPIMS official. Iranna Dotihal, who was at the bus shelter when the man recorded the video, said, “We were waiting for the bus for more than half an hour on Gadag–Lakshmeshwar road. There were auto rickshaws but they stuffed passengers like sheep, hence, we were waiting for a bus. It was then an ambulance came out of the KHPIMS campus and stopped around 100 metres away from the bus shelter. Many people ran towards the ambulance and boarded it. Later, we came to know that the driver charges people the bus fare.” KHPIMS Director Dr Basavaraj Bommanahalli said, “We have seen the video. The ambulance does not belong to KHPIMS. Still we have started an inquiry The district health . officer is also gathering details. Action will be taken against the driver.” E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @Bengaluru Despite giving uniforms, food and shoes, government schools are seeing a dip in the number of students year after year, said Minister for Primary and Education Madhu Bangarappa in the Legislative Council on Monday, expressing his helplessness. Accepting that government schools do face shortcomings, he said many reforms have been brought in, and urged students to return to government schools. Replying to BJP MLC Nirani Hanumant Rudrappa, he said the enrolment of children in K a n n a d a s c h o o l s d r o p p e d by 11.20% in the last three years and it is not because of opening of Karnataka Public Schools (KPS). It is because of parents’ obsession with English medium schools, their attraction to national curriculum and an increase in the number of private schools. He said the government will come up with a campaign to increase enrolment and urged public representatives to join hands to bring children to government schools in their respective constituencies. To increase enrolment, bilingual medium classes have been started from Classes 1 to 5, and select government schools that have enough space and good enrolment are being upgraded to KPS, providing education from pre-primary till pre-university he said. , P4