Month: April 2026

A clinical show from Sunrisers Hyderabad, which included quickfire knocks from Heinrich Klaasen and Abhishek Sharma and fine bowling performances from Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga and Nitish Kumar Reddy helped them achieve their first win of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 65 runs at Kolkata on Thursday.

Put to field first, SRH posted 226/8, with Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 35 balls, with four boundaries and a six), Abhishek Sharma (48 in 21 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (39 in 24 balls, with four boundaries and a six). KKR started off chasing fine with Finn Allen (28 in seven balls, with three sixes and two sixes) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (52 in 29 balls, with six fours and two sixes), but fizzled out quickly to bundle out for 161 in 16 overs.

During the run-chase of 227 runs, Finn Allen started by smoking David Payne for 25 runs in the first over itself, with three fours and two sixes. However, after a boundary against Harsh Dubey, he fell to the spinner for a seven-ball 28 (with four boundaries and two sixes). KKR was 29/1 in 1.3 overs.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi collected runs in a free-flowing manner against spin, smashing Abhishek Sharma for two sixes and Harsh Dubey for a four. KKR reached the 50-run mark in 3.2 overs. The right-hander got two successive fours against Jaydev Unadkat in the fifth over.

KKR’s happy run ended with an absolutely nothing shot from skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who was dismissed by Unadkat with a catch from Eshan Malinga. KKR was 67/2 in five overs.

KKR’s power play ended on a poor note with Cameron Green involved in a very unfortunate run-out for just two runs. KKR ended at 74/3 in six overs.

Raghuvanshi was joined by Rinku Singh, and the duo rotated strike well with a few boundaries in between, reaching the 100-run mark in 8.5 overs. Raghuvanshi brought up his back-to-back fifties in 27 balls, with six fours and two sixes. Halfway through, KKR was 110/3, with Raghuvanshi (51) and Rinku (16) unbeaten.

The 46-run stand between the duo ended, with Raghuvanshi run out for a 29-ball 52. KKR was 120/4 in 11 overs.

After Raghuvanshi’s wicket, KKR lost their way, losing Anukul Roy (0), Rinku Singh (35 in 25 balls, with four boundaries and a six), Sunil Narine (12 in four balls) and Ramandeep Singh (10 in nine balls), sinking to 159/8 in 15 overs.

KKR’s downfall continued, with Kartik Tyagi gone for five runs to Unadkat. KKR was 161/9 in 15.5 overs. Varun Chakravarthy was the last one to fall to Unadkat (3/21) as KKR was all out for 161 runs in 16 overs.

Eshan (2/14) and Nitish (2/17) were among the wickets for SRH as well.

Earlier, a brilliant half-century from Heinrich Klaasen and fiery knocks of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma helped Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) post a daunting total of 226/8.

After being asked bat, Sunrisers Hyderabad openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma combined to hammer 22/0 in two overs. During the third over of Vaibhav Arora, both Hyderabad openers slammed 21 runs as their side’s total reached 43/0 in three overs.

During the fifth over, Abhishek Sharma blasted 25 runs off spinner Varun Chakaravarthy as Hyderabad scored 71/0 in five overs. 25 runs is the joint-most Chakaravarthy conceded in an over in T20s alongside as many for KXIP (Now Punjab Kings) vs KKR in 2019.

In the very next over, speedster Kartik Tyagi broke the 82-run opening stand after he removed Travis Head for 46 off 21 balls, with six fours and three sixes. After the end of the first power play, SRH made 84/1.

According to CricViz, this is SRH’s third-highest score in the Powerplay when setting a total in IPL history after posting 124/0 against Delhi Capitals in 2024 and 94/1 against Rajasthan Royals in the 2025 edition.

After the end of the seventh over, Hyderabad scored 98/1.

During the ninth over, speedster Blessing Muzarabani took two wickets to stop the run flow of SRH. The right-arm pacer first removed captain Ishan Kishan (14 off nine balls, with three fours) and then took the crucial wicket of Abhishek Sharma, who scored 48 off 21 balls, with four towering sixes and four fours. SRH was down to 112/3 in 8.4 overs.

In the very next over, spinner Anukul Roy removed Aniket Verma (1) as Hyderabad slumped to 123/4 after the end of the 10th over.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen steadied the ship for their side as Hyderabad posted 168/4 in 15 overs.

During the 18th over, Kartik Tyagi conceded 16 runs as Hyderabad reached a commanding position of 200/4. In the very next over, Vaibhav Arora took back-to-back wickets of Nitish Reddy, who scored 39 off 24 balls, with five boundaries and Salil Arora for a golden duck.

Klaasen slammed 52 off 35 balls, with four boundaries and a six, as Hyderabad posted a challenging total of 226/8 in 20 overs. For KKR, speedster Blessing Muzarabani picked up a four-wicket haul.

Brief Scores:SRH: 226/8 (Heinrich Klaasen 52, Nitish Kumar Reddy 39, Blessing Muzarabani 4/41) beat KKR: 161 in 16 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 52, Rinku Singh 35, Jaydev Unadkat 3/21). (ANI)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday issued an advisory addressing misleading information circulating regarding QR codes printed on its question papers.

The board clarified that the QR codes are part of internal systems and are not designed to function as direct internet hyperlinks.

In an official advisory, CBSE explained, “These codes are part of internal systems for authentication, tracking, and examination integrity, and do not open as web links when scanned. Rather, they only show the intended text. However, if a user opts to use Google search on the text, Google search suggests certain other words. This doesn’t occur if standard browsers such as Chrome.”

The board also cautioned against the spread of misinformation. “It has been observed that when users attempt to interpret or manually search QR-related strings online, unrelated search results–including references to any individual or entity are shown. Such web results are algorithm-driven and bear no connection to CBSE or its examination processes,” the advisory stated.

Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations, CBSE, warned that certain elements deliberately misrepresent unrelated search results to malign the board’s image. “The linking of QR codes to unrelated individuals or content is factually incorrect and misleading,” he said.

The board further advised students, parents, educators, and media platforms to exercise caution. Stakeholders are urged to “refrain from sharing unverified claims or speculative interpretations, verify facts through official CBSE communications before dissemination, and exercise caution against amplifying content that may distort institutional credibility.”

CBSE concluded the advisory by emphasising the importance of responsible information sharing to maintain the integrity of public institutions.

Earlier, the CBSE warned teachers involved in the Class X and Class XII evaluation process of strict disciplinary action for sharing misleading information on social media. The Board observed that some evaluators were posting opinions and experiences online, which could trigger confusion and rumours among students and stakeholders. (ANI)

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said the people of Keralam embody the “true spirit of India,” praising the state’s traditions of free expression, education, equality, and compassion.

During a public rally in Chirayinkeezhu, Congress MP said, “This is a land of revolutionary thinkers like Narayan Guruji. He was one of the great inspirations of Mahatma Gandhi ji and in many ways, you still live those traditions today. The traditions of free expression, good education, equality, love and compassion for each other. I have no hesitation in saying that the spirit of Keralam is the true spirit of India.”

While speaking to ANI, Priyanka Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for skipping an all-party meeting on the West Asia conflict, saying his absence shows he does not consider the discussion important.

“It was a very important discussion that had to take place, but he chose not to be there. He clearly thinks it is not important enough,” the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad said.

Chirayinkeezhu Assembly constituency, one of the 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala, is part of Attingal parliamentary constituency and for the last three Assembly elections, it has been won by the Left Democratic Front (LDF). The UDF candidate here for the upcoming elections is Ramya Haridas, who was a Lok Sabha MP from Alathur Lok Sabha constituency in Palakkad from 2019 to 2024. Haridas is set to face Manoj B Edamana of the CPI and B S Anoop of the BJP. Incidentally, Anoop had contested the 2021 Assembly elections from the Chirayinkeezhu constituency on a UDF ticket.

In her speech today, Priyanka Gandhi slammed both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) for “neglecting” the needs of the people.

Priyanka Gandhi accused PM Modi of compromising India’s sovereignty. “The policies of the Modi government are doing nothing for our people. He has chosen instead to bow down before Israel and the US. Our PM has handed our energy security to the Americans and signed our future away. They now tell us who we can buy from and when,” she said.

In a scathing personal attack, Gandhi called the Prime Minister a “coward.” “Modi is a coward. He does not have the courage to stand up for India. The people are paying the price every day for his decisions. We are paying because his name is in some Epstein files,” she alleged.

The Congress leader did not spare the state government either, accusing the Left of being in cahoots with the BJP. “The Kerala CM is acting like the B-team of Narendra Modi. Why is it that none of the Left leaders have been attacked by the Centre? Even when there was a big theft in the Sabarimala Temple, the PM said nothing,” she claimed.

She further alleged that both the BJP and the Left are “corrupt corporate parties” that have been in power too long.

Gandhi said it was time for a new government in Kerala. “As an MP from Kerala, I feel bad when I travel through my constituency. I see so many opportunities to help and create jobs being wasted every day. We have a state government negligent of your progress. A new government is necessary for Kerala to remind the leadership of its responsibility to the people,” she said.

Gandhi also expressed concern for the Malayali diaspora in West Asia, stating that their families are “sick with worry” and claimed that the central government remains indifferent to their safety.

Gandhi highlighted the plight of nurses in the state, noting that many are forced to migrate due to low wages and lack of opportunities. “A nurse in this state couldn’t find a job in her own home. When she finally did, the salary was so low she had to move to Delhi. The public health system is crumbling, there is a shortage of staff, and job creation is at an all-time low,” she alleged.

She further claimed that sectors like tea, coffee, banana, and dairy are struggling due to rising prices and insufficient government support. “ASHA and Anganwadi workers protested for months, but their voices were silenced. The government only heard them when elections neared. They toil so much and get so little,” she added.

Elections for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with the counting of votes on May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23.

Earlier in the day, Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) unveiled its manifesto for the Kerala Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in exactly a week.

Key promises include free bus travel for women across the state, an increase in welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 monthly. College-going girl students will receive Rs 1,000 per month, and families will get a Rs 25 lakh insurance scheme.

Leader of Opposition and Congress leader VD Satheesan, along with other United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders, released the party’s election manifesto in the event where Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was present.

The 2026 UDF manifesto includes a range of promises aimed at welfare, development, and employment. Under the Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY) Scheme, the party pledged to provide Rs 6,000 per month to the poorest families below the poverty line. Welfare pensions are set to increase in stages to Rs 3,000.

Farmers are also a focus, with support prices for rubber and paddy proposed at Rs 250 and Rs 35 per kilogram. On housing, the UDF promised to ensure homes for all eligible individuals by addressing defects in the ‘Life Mission’ project, aiming for a homeless-free Kerala.

In healthcare, the manifesto has reforms to make the Karunya Insurance scheme more efficient and the establishment of dialysis centres in all Panchayats. For education, UDF plans to set up international standard learning facilities in higher education through collaborations with foreign universities.

Employment initiatives include launching Skill Development programs to provide jobs to five lakh youth within five years. Consumer protection measures will target rising prices of essential goods. For the fishing community, sea relief and housing projects are set to be restarted.

Women’s empowerment is also emphasised, with promises to expand self-employment loans through Kudumbashree and implement stricter laws for women’s safety. Additionally, monthly free kits will be provided to all yellow cardholders (AAY). (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced that he will continue to stay in West Bengal for the next fifteen days for campaigning and preparing his party for the two-phase assembly elections scheduled to be held on April 23 and 29.

“I will stay in Bengal for 15 days for the elections. I will have many opportunities to talk with you all. But today I am here for the nomination filing of our four leaders,” Amit Shah said while addressing a rally in Bhabanipur, which is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s constituency.

West Bengal Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendhu Adhikari is set to contest against CM Banerjee from the Bhabanipur assembly constituency. Adhikari filed his nomination for the upcoming polls in the presence of HM Amit Shah earlier today.

Apart from Adhikari, BJP’s Swapan Das Gupta, Shatrunja Ghosh and Santosh Pathak also filed their nominations from their respective seats.

“Before the elections themselves, in every corner of Bengal, you will find only one voice echoing, saying bye-bye, tata to Mamata Banerjee, change the government, no matter where you go. The whole population of Bengal is fed up with Trinamool Congress’ gundagardi, from the lack of safety of women to the changing demography of Bengal. The youth is troubled with unemployment, and Mamata has even made a record in corruption. The voices are saying that change has to come under the leadership of Narendra Modi”, Shah said while addressing a public rally.

“Everyone is calling for sealing the border of West Bengal, and removing the infiltrators from here and across the country,” he added.

Shah held a road show in the Bhabanipur constituency earlier today.

The rally was attended by party workers and supporters in large numbers, marking a high-profile show of support for the BJP in the key constituency. While speaking at the nomination filing event of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Shah highlighted issues he said were affecting the state, including corruption, extortion, youth unemployment, and illegal infiltration.

As the political temperature for the Bengal poll battle continues to increase, both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP have launched relentless attacks against each other.

The TMC has accused the BJP of using the Election Commission of India (ECI) to manipulate voter rolls and unfairly transfer multiple officers. Meanwhile, the BJP has accused the TMC-led state government of facilitating illegal immigration in the state.

Suvendu Adhikari is contesting the two-phase West Bengal assembly polls on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Bhabanipur and Nandigram constituencies.

This time, the West Bengal elections will see a face-off between Adhikari and Banerjee for the Bhabanipur seat, while Adhikari will also try to retain Nandigram.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost the Nandigram seat in the 2021 assembly elections against Adhikari, but later secured victory in the Bhabanipur by-election against Priyanka Tibrewal.

The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. (ANI)

Bollywood star Ajay Devgn turned 57 on Thursday, and to mark his birthday, his family members and friends from the industry flooded social media with special wishes.

Unleashing her quirky side, Kajol’s birthday wish for Ajay is quite hilarious.

In her note, she playfully poked fun at his age in her signature style, joking that the candles on his cake now look more like a “fire hazard.”

“At some point the candles on the cake look less like a celebration and more like a fire hazard… I think u have reached that point .. happy birthday anyways … may u always have cake,” Kajol wrote.

Ajay reacted to Kajol’s message with a sweet reply.

“Glad to have you at every fire hazard point,” he posted.

Ajay also garnered a birthday wish from Akshay Kumar on social media.

Akshay shared a BTS image from the sets of ‘Golmaal 5’. In the picture, he could be seen forcefully planting a kiss on Ajay’s cheek.

“Dosti itni purani…pyaar toh hoga hi. Happy birthday dear Ajay Devgn,” Akshay captioned the post.

With a career spanning over three decades, Ajay Devgn has built a strong place in Hindi cinema with a mix of intense roles and commercial hits. Whether it’s ‘Zakhm,’ ‘Company,’ or ‘Omkara,’ the actor has consistently showcased the range of talent he possesses.

Looking ahead, Ajay Devgn will next be seen in ‘Dhamaal 4,’ directed by Indra Kumar. The film features an ensemble cast including Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Mishra, Jaaved Jaaferi, Esha Gupta, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Anjali Anand, Upendra Limaye, Vijay Patkar, and Ravi Kishan. The film is produced by Ajay Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ashok Thakeria, Indra Kumar, Anand Pandit, and Kumar Mangat Pathak.

‘Dhamaal 4’ marks the continuation of the popular Dhamaal franchise. The original Dhamaal, released in 2007, was a comedy directed by Indra Kumar and produced by Ashok Thakeria.

He also has ‘Golmaal 5’ in his kitty. Akshay Kumar is also a part of the new part.

On joining the franchise, Akshay recently took to Instagram and wrote, “Happy Birthday @itsrohitshetty On your birthday, the madness just got bigger and louder. Excited to be joining this crazy family of Golmaal 5! Let the chaos begin!”

Helmed by Rohit Shetty, the Golmaal franchise has been making film buffs laugh for almost two decades now. The first instalment, Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, which hit theatres in 2006 and became a huge hit. It starred Ajay Devgn, Sharman Joshi, Arshad Warsi and Tusshar Kapoor. Paresh Rawal and Rimi Sen were also part of the first film. Over the years, the Golmaal series went on to become one of India’s most loved comedy franchises. (ANI)

A senior official from the Government of India informed on Thursday that over 6 lakh passengers have returned to India from the West Asia region amid the developing security situation as the conflict between US-Israel and Iran enters its second month now.

He also provided an update on the Indian national injured in the UAE yesterday and underlined that the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community in the region remains the government’s utmost priority.

Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs, shared the update during the inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital.

Mahajan said, “Since February 28th, around 6,24,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India. Airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and safety considerations between the UAE and India. Around 90 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to various destinations in India today.”

He added that flights are operating from various airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to different destinations in India.

“With the Qatar airspace partially open, Qatar Airways is expected to operate around 8 to 10 flights to India today. Kuwait and Bahrain airspace remains closed. Jazeera Airways of Kuwait and Gulf Air of Bahrain have been operating non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam airport of Saudi Arabia to various destinations in India. This is facilitating the travel of Indian nationals from Kuwait and Bahrain”, Mahajan further noted.

The Additional Secretary (Gulf) also informed that due to flight restrictions and airspace closure, the government continues to facilitate travel of Indian nationals from Iran through Armenia and Azerbaijan to India, from Israel through Egypt and Jordan to India, from Iraq through Jordan and Saudi Arabia to India, and from Kuwait and Bahrain through Saudi Arabia to India.

Sharing an update on the incident on Wednesday in the UAE, where an Indian national was injured after a drone debris interception, Mahajan said, “In an attack yesterday in Umm Al Quwain in the UAE, an indian national was injured and is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. Our consulate is extending all assistance to the injured Indian national.”

According to a report by Gulf News on Wednesday, citing the Umm Al Quwain Government Media office, it was reported that one Indian national was injured after debris from an intercepted drone fell near an industrial facility in the Umm Al Thaoub area.

Mahajan, in his remarks, assured that the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region, ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of the large Indian community in the region remains our highest priority.

He said that the dedicated special control room remains operational to assist Indian nationals and their families and that the missions and posts across the region are operating round the clock with regular information being provided to students, nationals, seafarers, and resident Indian communities. (ANI)

After months of buzz and anticipation, fans have finally been treated to the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor as Maryada Purushottam Rama in ‘Ramayana.’

The makers unveiled a special teaser on Thursday, introducing Ranbir as Lord Rama.

The teaser for ‘Ramayana: The Introduction’ gives fans a first look at Ranbir in his role. Ravi Dubey and Sai Pallavi appear only briefly in a few shots, along with glimpses of Ravana’s kingdom. The video, titled Rama, mainly focuses on the journey and adventures of Lord Rama. The visuals stand out for their grand scale and impressive appeal.

Soon after the teaser was shared, fans chimed in the comment section to share their excitement. One fan wrote, “Incredible! Gave me goosebumps. much-awaited.” Another commented, “Out of the world , what a fab fab first look.” Third user added, “This is iconic.”

Ranbir opened up about playing the role of Rama and shared how it has been a learning experience for him. “I don’t think I’m here to represent Rama. I’m here to learn from him. There is a simplicity and purity to him that is very rare, and trying to understand and imbibe that has been a deeply humbling experience,” he said, as per a release.

The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra. It is planned as a two-part series and is one of the biggest projects in Indian cinema.

Inspired by the ancient epic Ramayana, the film revolves around the story of Rama, who is believed to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu. It follows his journey as a prince of Ayodhya, his exile, and his battle with Ravana.

The film also stars Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. The music for the film is composed by Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman.

The first part of ‘Ramayana’ is set to release in theatres during Diwali 2026, while the second part is expected to release in Diwali 2027. (ANI)

The Artemis crew has officially embarked on a “historic 10-day mission around the Moon,” a journey that may see them travel “further from Earth than anyone has ever been before.”

A crew of four astronauts has boarded their spacecraft in anticipation of this landmark flight, which represents a major milestone in lunar exploration. However, the mission faced an initial setback at the Kennedy Space Center as the launch was delayed from its “scheduled 6:24 PM ET liftoff” while technical teams worked to address emerging issues.

The international team is comprised of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency. This ambitious lunar mission signifies the first human return to the Moon’s proximity in over half a century and holds the potential to surpass the distance records established during the Apollo era, venturing further into deep space than any previous human endeavour.

In a post on X, President Donald Trump extended his support to the Artemis II crew, framing the mission as a testament to American leadership.

“We are WINNING in space, on Earth, and everywhere in between — economically, militarily, and now, BEYOND THE STARS. Nobody comes close! America doesn’t just compete, we DOMINATE, and the whole world is watching. God bless our incredible astronauts, God bless NASA, and God bless the greatest nation ever to exist, the United States of America!” the President stated.

Leading the expedition is Mission Commander Reid Wiseman, 50, a former US Navy officer who joined NASA in 2009. Wiseman, who previously spent 165 days on the International Space Station (ISS), once remarked, “I never thought I’d be an astronaut… it’s like an unobtainable dream.” A single father since 2020, he has been open about the challenges of preparing his daughters for the inherent hazards of his profession.

Serving as the pilot for the Orion spacecraft is 49-year-old Victor Glover, a Navy veteran and father of four who transitioned to NASA from a role as a US Senate legislative advisor. Glover, who was inspired by a shuttle launch as a child and admitted, “I really want to drive one of those,” will make history as the first person of colour to journey to the Moon.

Mission specialist Christina Koch, 47, is set to become the first woman to reach the lunar vicinity. An experienced engineer who has conducted research in Antarctica, Koch holds the record for the longest continuous spaceflight by a woman. Guided by her personal philosophy to “Do what scares you,” she was inspired to pursue this career by the famous Earthrise photograph from Apollo 8.

Rounding out the crew is Jeremy Hansen, 50, representing the Canadian Space Agency. A former fighter pilot, Hansen will be the first non-American to travel to the Moon’s neighbourhood. Although this marks his first trip into orbit, the father of three has long dreamt of this moment since seeing images of Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review measures taken by various ministries and departments and also discussed further initiatives to be taken in the context of the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Cabinet Secretary briefed about the action taken to ensure supply of petroleum products, particularly LNG/LPG, and sufficient power availability, an official release said.

Sources are being diversified for the procurement of LPG with new inflows from different countries. Similarly, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is being sourced from different countries.

Prime Minister assessed the availability of critical needs for the common man. He discussed availability of fertilisers in the country and steps being taken to ensure its availability in the Kharif and Rabi seasons. He said that all efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict. Prime Minister also emphasised smooth flow of authentic information to the public to prevent misinformation and rumour mongering.

Prime Minister directed all concerned departments to take all possible measures to ameliorate the problems of citizens and sectors affected by the ongoing global situation.

The Cabinet Secretary also briefed that LPG prices for domestic consumers have remained the same and anti-diversion enforcement to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG is being conducted regularly.

Initiatives have also been taken to expand Piped Natural Gas connections. Measures like exempting the gas-based power plants with a capacity of 7-8 GW from gas pooling mechanism and increasing of rake for positioning more coal at thermal power stations have also been taken to ensure availability of power during the peak summer months.

Further, interventions proposed to be taken for emerging challenges in various other sectors such as agriculture, civil aviation, shipping and logistics were also discussed.

Various efforts like maintaining urea production to meet requirements, coordinating with overseas supplies for DAP/NPKS suppliers are being taken to ensure fertilizer supply.

State governments are being requested to curb black marketing, hoarding, and diversion of fertilizers through daily monitoring, raids, and strict action.

The retail prices of food commodities have been stable over the past one month, the release said.

Control Rooms have been set up for constant monitoring and interaction with States/UTs on prices and enforcement of Essential Commodities Act. The prices of agricultural products , vegetables and fruits are also being monitored.

Efforts to globally diversify India’s sources for energy, fertilizers and other supply chains, and international initiatives for securing safe passage of vessels through the strait of Hormuz and ongoing diplomatic efforts are being taken.

Enhanced coordination, real-time communication, and proactive measures across central, state, and district levels to drive effective information dissemination and public awareness amid the evolving crisis is being undertaken, the release said.

The meeting was held at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg and this was the second special CCS meeting on this issue. The conflict between Israel-US and Iran began on February 28 and has entered its second month, causing energy supply disruptions across the world. (ANI)