New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) The Government on Monday said around 7.99 lakh piped natural gas (PNG) connections have been gasified since March 2026, while infrastructure has been created for an additional 2.87 lakh connections, taking the total number of PNG connections to 10.86 lakh amid efforts to strengthen cleaner fuel access across the country.The update was shared during a media briefing held at the National Media Centre as the government continued monitoring the evolving situation in West Asi…

Aizawl, May 25 (IANS) Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Monday said that the fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairy sectors have immense potential to accelerate the economic development of the Northeast, adding that growth in these sectors would ensure progress not only for individuals but for the region as a whole. The Union Minister, who chaired a Regional Review Meeting of the eight Northeastern states, highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s v…

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) Amid growing concerns over Ebola cases reported in parts of Africa, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airlines operating flights connected to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, mandating enhanced health screening and precautionary measures for incoming passengers.The aviation regulator said the SOP is aimed at strengthening India’s preparedness against potential cross-border he…

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) State-owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has witnessed a major financial and operational turnaround over the past two years, with its revenue increasing from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore, the Ministry of Communications said on Monday.BSNL’s revival under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has transformed the telecom PSU from a struggling enterprise into a key driver of digital inclusion and national development, Union Minister o…

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) on Monday announced that it has decided not to grant a blanket extension for the applicability of Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-II for solar photovoltaic (PV) cells beyond June 1, 2026, after reviewing industry representations and conducting wider stakeholder consultations.In an official statement, the ministry said projects commissioned after June 1, 2026 will have to comply with the ALMM List-II pr…

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines on Monday urged closer coordination between the Centre and state governments to expedite statutory clearances, facilitate early commencement of mining operations, and ensure timely production from auctioned blocks.Goyal chaired a monthly review meeting with senior ministry officials and Category-A mineral bearing States to review the progress of mineral block auctions and operationalisation across the country, an official statem…

Mumbai, May 25 (IANS) The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Monday proposed a standardised framework for managing strike prices of options contracts to ensure contracts remain available close to prevailing market levels during sharp intraday volatility.The move is aimed at improving trading continuity and ease of doing business in derivatives markets, the market regulator said in a consultation paper.A strike price is a pre-determined price at which an options contract can be exer…

Mumbai, May 25 (IANS) Suzlon Energy Limited on Monday reported a 5.74 per cent year-on-year decline in its consolidated net profit for the March quarter (Q4) of FY26.The company posted a consolidated profit of Rs 1,114.35 crore in Q4 FY26 compared with Rs 1,182.22 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year (Q4 FY25), according to its stock exchange filing.However, on a sequential basis, profit surged nearly 150 per cent from Rs 445.28 crore reported in the December quarter…

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) State-run oil explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on Monday said it has selected BP Exploration Services India Limited — a UK-based subsidiary of BP Plc — as Technical Services Provider (TSP) for its Western Offshore oil and gas fields (excluding the Mumbai High field), in a move aimed at boosting output from mature assets.The decision follows an international competitive bidding process under which global oil companies were invited to submit proposals for …

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) India’s fertiliser supply position remains stable and well above normal levels, with stocks currently accounting for more than 51 per cent of the annual requirement, the government said on Monday.The assessment for the current year stands at 390.54 lakh metric tonnes, while existing stock levels are at 200.12 lakh metric tonnes, significantly higher than the usual benchmark of around 33 per cent, according to Aparna S. Sharma, Additional Secretary, Department of Fertil…