Shimla, Outgoing Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla advised the state government to stand on its own feet by adopting a strong work culture and effectively utilising the opportunities presented to it.. Adopt strong work culture, utilise opportunities to become self-reliant: Outgoing guv to HP govt. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also recalled that the governor had made suggestions at several instances, which his government followed sincerely, and any doubts about particular bills were resolved through discussions.. Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, Shukla, who will soon take charge as the Governor of Telangana, said that more than 50 years have passed since the state of Himachal Pradesh was formed, yet it has advanced less significantly than Uttarakhand, which was formed later.. “There is a huge scope for development in Himachal Pradesh. The state’s leaders need to adopt a strong work culture and utilise opportunities so that it can become self-reliant,” he said.. Later, speaking at his farewell function, the governor said, “When one works in a state or a region, it is natural to develop an attachment to that place. But my experience in Himachal Pradesh has been truly special. Himachal is not only the Devbhoomi but also a ‘Prem Bhoomi’ . People here are simple, sincere and full of warmth,” he said.. Expressing gratitude for the affection he received during his tenure, the governor said that he was leaving the state with cherished memories of the love and cooperation extended by people.. “I am grateful for the support I received from all political parties, social and cultural organisations, and from government officers and employees,” he said.. Shukla emphasised the need to make efforts in the state to curb the growing drug menace, protect its environment and develop its tourism sector.. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who was present at the function, said that under the Shukla’s leadership, Lok Bhavan became a responsive centre connected with public concerns, spreading a message of goodwill and cooperation among different sections of the society.. “The governor remained closely connected with people, regularly interacting with students, youth, social organisations and citizens. His presence in universities and educational institutions inspired young minds to pursue knowledge, values and service to the nation,” he said.. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sukhu said that in several instances, the governor made suggestions, which his government followed sincerely.. Any doubts about certain bills, he said, were resolved through discussions after which the governor gave his assent. In some cases, the bills were sent for the President’s assent following the constitutional process, he added.. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. 

 External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Monday said the government remains committed to safeguarding India’s energy security while ensuring that national interests remain the top priority, as geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt global oil markets.. Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha (Screengrab). Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar said India’s approach to energy procurement will be guided by costs, risks and the availability of supply.. “On energy security, the government remains committed, taking into account the costs, risk and availability of sources,” he said.. He emphasised that the government will prioritise the country’s interests while navigating global uncertainties.. “The interest of Indians is the top priority. Our national interests will always be paramount,” Jaishankar told the Upper House.. Government monitoring energy supplies. His remarks come amid rising concerns over energy supplies and prices due to the escalating conflict in West Asia, which has affected oil production and shipping routes in the region.. The government has sought to reassure markets and consumers that the situation does not pose an immediate threat to India’s energy security. Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri had earlier said the country has adequate reserves to deal with the current situation.. According to officials familiar with the matter, India currently has sufficient crude oil stocks and fuel reserves, apart from the strategic petroleum reserves maintained by the government.. Authorities have also set up a 24×7 control room to monitor fuel supplies and stock levels across the country.. “At present, the government is reasonably comfortable in terms of stocks,” the petroleum ministry said in a statement earlier.. Dependence on Gulf energy supplies. India imports just over five million barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the world’s largest energy importers.. Of this, around 2.5 million barrels per day typically pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that serves as a crucial route for global oil shipments.. The ongoing conflict in the region has disrupted shipping in the strait and raised concerns about potential supply disruptions.. However, officials say India has diversified its energy sourcing in recent years, with more than 60 percent of its supplies now coming from producers in North America, Latin America, West Africa and the Asian part of Russia.. India currently sources crude oil from more than 40 countries, which helps reduce dependence on any single region. 

 Indian stock markets opened sharply lower on Monday, mirroring a global sell-off triggered by surging oil prices, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a sharp fall in the rupee. The BSE Sensex fell more than 2,400 points in early trade, while the Nifty 50 dropped over 700 points, reflecting widespread selling across sectors.. Traders react after fluctuations in stock market, in Kolkata. Both Sensex and Nifty fell sharply on March 9, 2026 (PTI). The sharp decline comes as global markets tumble and crude oil prices surge to their highest levels since 2022.. Here are the key reasons behind the sharp fall in Indian shares. 1. Oil prices surge amid Middle East conflict. The biggest trigger for the market decline is the massive spike in crude oil prices after the United States–Israel war with Iran intensified.. Brent crude jumped more than 25 per cent to around $116 per barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate also surged above $114 per barrel.. Oil prices have soared as the conflict threatens energy production and shipping routes across the Middle East. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage that carries roughly 20 percent of global oil supply, has largely halted, raising fears of prolonged disruptions.. Supply concerns have worsened after Iraq and Kuwait began cutting oil output, while earlier liquefied natural gas reductions from Qatar added to fears of a broader energy shock.. 2. India’s heavy dependence on imported crude. India is particularly vulnerable to rising oil prices because it imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements.. Market expert Ajay Bagga told news agency ANI the oil shock could significantly hurt the economy. “The oil price hit to the Indian GDP, current account deficit and inflation will be huge given that India meets more than 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements from imports.”. Higher crude prices are expected to push up petrol, diesel, cooking gas and aviation fuel prices, increasing costs for businesses and consumers.. Check city-wise Petrol and Diesel prices here. This raises concerns about inflation, fiscal pressure and slower economic growth, which typically weigh heavily on stock markets.. 3. Rupee falls close to all-time low. The Indian rupee also came under severe pressure, adding to investor worries. The currency plunged 46 paise to around 92.28 against the US dollar in early trade, moving close to its all-time intra-day low of 92.35 recorded earlier this month.. Forex traders said the rupee weakened due to rising crude oil prices, a strengthening US dollar, heavy foreign investor outflows and weak domestic equity markets.. The dollar index rose about 0.66 per cent, reflecting strong global demand for the US currency as investors seek safe-haven assets during periods of uncertainty.. Analysts warned that the rupee could weaken further toward 93 per dollar if crude prices remain above $100.. 4. Global markets plunge, dragging India lower. I 

 Parliament Budget session LIVE: The opposition has also demanded a broader discussion on India’s foreign policy, the India-US trade deal, and other domestic issues.. Parliament budget session LIVE updates: The second phase of the budget session is set to resume on Monday amid expectations of heated debates and political confrontations, with the Lok Sabha scheduled to take up an opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla. Key issues that are likely to dominate the session include the ongoing West Asia crisis, India-US trade relations, and disputes over parliamentary conduct.. The second half of the session will run until April 2 and is reportedly expected to focus on crucial legislative business, including the passage of the Finance Bill, 2026 and discussions on Demands for Grants for various ministries.. Opposition moves no-confidence motion against Om Birla. One of the central developments in the Lok Sabha will be the opposition-backed resolution seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla. Several opposition leaders submitted the notice alleging that Birla acted in a “blatantly partisan” manner while conducting proceedings in the House.. Around 118 opposition MPs reportedly signed the motion, accusing the Speaker of favouring the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and allegedly preventing Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi from speaking during earlier proceedings.. The resolution will be taken up only if the House grants permission to move it. However, given the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s majority in the Lok Sabha, the motion is widely expected to be defeated.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already expressed support for Birla, stating that the Speaker has remained committed to the Constitution and parliamentary democracy while treating all members fairly.. Debate likely amid lack of deputy speaker. The procedural handling of the motion may pose a challenge because the Lok Sabha currently does not have a deputy speaker. Under normal parliamentary rules, the deputy speaker would preside over proceedings during a motion against the speaker.. In the absence of a deputy speaker, Birla may appoint a member from the panel of chairpersons to preside over the debate, with senior BJP MP Jagdambika Pal being among the likely choices, HT earlier reported.. Historically, only three Lok Sabha speakers, namely G V Mavlankar in 1954, Hukam Singh in 1966 and Balram Jakhar in 1987, have faced no-confidence motions, all of which were eventually defeated.. Jaishankar to brief Lok Sabha on West Asia crisis. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to make a statement in the Lok Sabha regarding the “situation in West Asia”.. The statement comes amid escalating tensions following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28 that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Tehran launched counter-strikes targeting American military bases 

 A man in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district carried his dead infant in a cardboard box from a government hospital to his house, allegedly because he was denied an ambulance, the baby’s father told the media on Sunday.. Ramkrishna Hembram said he carried the body for 20 km to his house in Bandgaon Block.. Hospital authorities, however, denied the allegations, stating that neither the father nor anyone else from his family had requested an ambulance.. Ramkrishna Hembram, a resident of Bangrasai village, had admitted his pregnant wife Rita Tiria to the Chakradharpur sub-divisional hospital on Thursday. She gave birth to the baby on Saturday, but it died shortly after. “The doctors didn’t take proper care during and after delivery, due to which the baby died. After its death, health workers kept pressing us to remove the dead body. We demanded an ambulance or any other vehicle from the hospital to take the dead body back to our village (in Bandgaon Block), but they refused. Then, I put my baby in a leftover cardboard box and left for my village,” Hembram told the media on Sunday.. The doctor in charge of the Chakradharpur sub-divisional hospital, Dr Anshuman Sharma, however, denied the allegations and said, “Neither the father of the dead newborn baby nor anyone from his family requested me or any authority of the hospital for an ambulance. Had they approached us, we would have surely arranged an ambulance for them,” Dr Sharma said.. Chakradharpur sub-divisional officer Shruti Rajalakshmi said the district authority is conducting an inquiry into matter. “Appropriate action will be taken soon,” she said.. The West Singhbhum civil surgeon could not be contacted as the post had been lying vacant for the past eight days.