A disruption in imported natural gas supplies, triggered by constraints on energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, has led to curbs on industrial gas consumption in Gujarat, forcing several factories to scale down production even as authorities allow temporary use of alternate fuels and the Centre moves to secure LPG supplies for households.. Gas supply cuts in Gujarat force factories to scale back output; Centre allows alternate fuels and moves to secure LPG for households (Parveen Kumar/Hindustan Times). The impact is being felt across several gas-intensive sectors, including ceramics, textiles, glass and chemicals. In the Morbi ceramic manufacturing cluster, more than 100 factories that rely on natural gas to run their kilns have shut down production following the reduction in gas supplies.. In Surat, one of the country’s largest textile hubs, thousands of units rely on natural gas for boilers and heating processes. “There are around 55,000 textile units in Surat, of which around 12,000 run on gas. So far, the crisis is not very severe. We have urged the state government to act against those involved in black marketing of LPG cylinders. The industry can be impacted if the war lasts long and no solution is found,” said Ashok Jirawala, president of the Federation of Gujarat Weavers’ Welfare Association.. Also Read: LPG shortage hits Bengal: IIT Kharagpur switches to firewood; hosp, govt canteens alter menus. Some industries have already adjusted production levels following the curbs. In the Vatwa industrial estate on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, which houses more than 250 chemical manufacturing units, several factories have scaled down output. Similar adjustments have been reported from textile processing units and glass factories in South Gujarat.. Almost a fourth of India’s natural gas requirements has been impacted by force majeure conditions enforced by foreign suppliers because of the West Asia conflict, and the government is procuring supplies through alternative routes to overcome the shortfall.. Nearly 50% of India’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway that has effectively been shut by Iran following the start of its conflict with Israel and the US. Fuel and gas prices have surged, heightening worries in India, which depends on imports to meet around 85% of its energy needs.. Centre prioritises household gas, transport fuel. These curbs follow the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas’s notification on March 9 of the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act to regulate natural gas allocation across sectors amid supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.. The order directs that available natural gas be supplied on a priority basis to essential sectors including piped natural gas for households, compressed natural gas used in transport and LPG production.. Under the order, these sectors will recei 

 New Delhi, The nominations and recommendations for the Padma awards to be announced on Republic Day 2027 for people’s exceptional achievements and service began on Sunday.. Govt starts receiving Padma award nominations for Republic Day 2027. The last date for filing the nominations is July 31, 2026, a government statement said.. “The nominations and recommendations for Padma Awards will only be received online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal https://awards.gov.in,” it said.. The Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are amongst the highest civilian awards of the country.. The awards are being announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year since their institution in 1954, to recognise “work of distinction”, it said.. These awards are given for distinguished and exceptional achievements and service in all fields and disciplines, such as Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc, the government said.. “All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for Padma Awards,” it said.. The statement said the government is “committed” to transform Padma Awards into “people’s Padma”.. “All citizens are, therefore, requested to make nominations/recommendations, including self-nomination. Concerted efforts may be made to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognised from amongst women, weaker sections of the society, SCs and STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the society,” it said.. The nominations and recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the portal, clearly bringing out the distinguished and exceptional achievements and service of the person recommended in her and his respective field and discipline, it said.. “Details in this regard are also available under the heading ‘Awards and Medals’ on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs and on the Padma Awards Portal ,” it said.. The statutes and rules relating to these awards are also available on the website, the statement added.. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. 

 New Delhi, The nominations and recommendations for the Padma awards to be announced on Republic Day 2027 for people’s exceptional achievements and service began on Sunday.. Govt starts receiving Padma award nominations for Republic Day 2027. The last date for filing the nominations is July 31, 2026, a government statement said.. “The nominations and recommendations for Padma Awards will only be received online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal https://awards.gov.in,” it said.. The Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are amongst the highest civilian awards of the country.. The awards are being announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year since their institution in 1954, to recognise “work of distinction”, it said.. These awards are given for distinguished and exceptional achievements and service in all fields and disciplines, such as Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc, the government said.. “All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for Padma Awards,” it said.. The statement said the government is “committed” to transform Padma Awards into “people’s Padma”.. “All citizens are, therefore, requested to make nominations/recommendations, including self-nomination. Concerted efforts may be made to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognised from amongst women, weaker sections of the society, SCs and STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the society,” it said.. The nominations and recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the portal, clearly bringing out the distinguished and exceptional achievements and service of the person recommended in her and his respective field and discipline, it said.. “Details in this regard are also available under the heading ‘Awards and Medals’ on the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs and on the Padma Awards Portal ,” it said.. The statutes and rules relating to these awards are also available on the website, the statement added.. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. 

 The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for assembly elections in five regions – Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal – involving 824 assembly constituencies, around 17.4 crore voters, and 2,18,807 polling stations.. The Election Commission of India revealed assembly election dates for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, covering a total of 824 constituencies with around 17.4 crore voters. (PTI). Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said nearly 25 lakh election officials will be deployed to conduct the polls across the four states and one Union Territory.. Counting of votes for all five regions will be held on May 4, 2026.. ALSO READ | EC announces poll dates for 4 states, 1 UT: Voting between Apr 9–29, results May 4; all except Bengal in single phase. Key numbers of the 2026 assembly elections. Total constituencies: 824. Total voters: Around 17.4 crore. Polling stations: 2,18,807. Election officials: Around 25 lakh. Category-wise seats by state. Assam: 126 seats – 98 general, 9 SC, 19 ST. Kerala: 140 seats – 124 general, 14 SC, 2 ST. Puducherry: 30 seats – 25 general, 5 SC. Tamil Nadu: 234 seats – 188 general, 44 SC, 2 ST. West Bengal: 294 seats – 210 general, 68 SC, 16 ST. State-wise election schedule and numbers. Assam – 126 seats | Single phase voting on April 9. The assembly election in Assam will be held in a single phase on April 9, 2026.. Schedule. – Gazette notification: March 16, 2026. – Last date for nominations: March 23, 2026. – Scrutiny of nominations: March 24, 2026. – Last date for withdrawal: March 26, 2026. – Polling date: April 9, 2026. – Counting: May 4, 2026. – Election process completion: May 6, 2026. Electorate. Male voters: Around 1.25 crore. Female voters: Around 1.25 crore. Third gender: 343. Total voters: Around 2.50 crore. Polling stations. Total: 31,486 – 3,775 urban; 27,711 rural.. Average voters per booth: 793. Special booths -. – Model polling stations: 126. – Women-managed polling stations: 3,716. – PwD-managed booths: 23. ALSO READ | ‘Convenient’: Election Commission of India on why Bengal election phases have been reduced from 8 to 2. Kerala – 140 seats | Single phase voting on April 9. All 140 constituencies in Kerala will go to polls on April 9, 2026.. Schedule. – Gazette notification: March 16, 2026. – Last date for nominations: March 23, 2026. – Scrutiny: March 24, 2026. – Withdrawal deadline: March 26, 2026. – Polling: April 9, 2026. – Counting: May 4, 2026. – Completion: May 6, 2026. Electorate. Male voters: 1.31 crore. Female voters: 1.38 crore. Third gender: 277. Total voters: 2.70 crore. Polling stations. Total: 30,471. Average voters per booth: 885. Special booths -. – Model polling stations: 790. – Women-managed booths: 397. – PwD-managed booths: 31. Puducherry – 30 seats | Polling on April 9. The Union Territory of Puducherry will elect 30 MLAs on April 9, 2026.. Schedule. – 

 The Election Commission of India on Sunday announced the schedule for by-elections to assembly seats across six states, with voting set to be held in two phases in April.. Election commission announces bypoll dates for six states (Representative/AFP). Polling in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura will take place on April 9, while Gujarat and Maharashtra will vote on April 23. Counting of votes for all by-elections will be conducted on May 4, the poll body said.. Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, Tripura. • Notification: 16 March 2026. • Last Date for Nominations: 23 March 2026. • Scrutiny: 24 March 2026. • Withdrawal: 26 March 2026. • Polling: 9 April 2026. Gujarat and Maharashtra. • Notification: 30 March 2026. • Last Date for Nominations: 6 April 2026. • Scrutiny: 7 April 2026. • Withdrawal: 9 April 2026. • Polling: 23 April 2026. Counting for all by-polls. • 4 May 2026. Completion of Election Process. 6 May 2026