HYDERABAD l tuesday l march 10, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l LATE CITY EDITION Why No job scheme for acid attack victims, SC asks states, UTs Pay allowance, if jobs can’t be given: SC 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 Supreme Court on Monday sought to know why a scheme for rehabilitation of acid attack victims through govt jobs has not been formulated Stringent punishments for perpetrators ■ ■ 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 R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi Amid fears of an imminent shortage of cooking gas due to import disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran-Israel war, the Union petroleum ministry on Monday directed stateowned oil marketing companies (OMCs) to prioritise supply of LPG cylinders to domestic consumers over commercial users. The ministry also increased the waiting period for refills 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. The government also directed all oil refineries and petrochemical complexes in India to utilise propane and butane streams to produce only LPG, instead of using them for other petrochemical products. The move comes at a time when India’s LPG imports have 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 $119 Oil breaches $100-mark for 1st time in 4 years Crude oil prices on Monday crossed the $100-mark for the first time in four years with Brent crude touching an intraday high of $119 per barrel before cooling to $102.1 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate also soared to touch $119.48 per barrel but fell back closer to $100 | P10 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 in- cluding 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 has, however, set alarm bells ringing among 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. After industry bodies expressed concerns, the petroleum ministry stepped in to clarify that imported LPG for non-domestic use will be supplied to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions. As for the shortage faced by restaurants and hotels, a panel of three OMC directors will review requests for LPG cylinders from them. 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 | P7 War will end soon: Trump In a late-night report, CBS, an American media outlet, quoted US President Donald Trump as saying that the war is “very complete” and could be over soon. Indian focus on peace, diplomacy, safeguarding national interest: EAM Jayanth j a c ob @ 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. Saving water bodies is saving future: CM New life E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Hyderabad April 26, 1936—March 09, 2026 PanikkaR reshaped modern Indian history K N 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 | P6 Assuring that those who give up their land and property for the Musi Riverfront Development Project will g e t f air compe n sat ion , Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday appealed to people living within the buffer zone of the river to cooperate for the sake of future generations. Speaking after inaugurating the rejuvenated and redeveloped Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally he said: “If , we do not rejuvenate the Musi river, future generations will not forgive us. While the Sabarmati Riverfront project was taken up in Ahmedabad, Yamuna cleaning was taken up in Delhi and Ganga rejuvenation in Uttar Pradesh, why should we not take up the Musi project? Our government will provide compensation and houses to people who lose their land. I call upon people to cooperate for road widening, the Musi project and the construction of flyovers.”  continued on p4 to a lifeline Executing agency: HYDRAA Extent restored acres to nearly 30 acres 16 BEFORE ‘Before’ and ‘after’ pictures of Nalla Cheruvu in Kukatpally that was rejuvenated by HYDRAA and inaugurated by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad on Monday AFTER Illegal constructions removed within FTL boundary Demolition of 16 commercial sheds built on lake land n Desilting and dredging of the lakebed n Clearing of debris and solid waste accumulated Public amenities over decades n Stoppage of sewage n  Walking areas inflow and cleaning of and recreational polluted water spaces developed around the lake n Restoration of the water body to n  Another improve urban ecology 14 lakes are n Creation of green and proposed for recreational spaces restoration in around the lake the next phase Most parties in Bengal for 1-2 phase of polls, ECI told S U B H E N D U M A I T I @ Kolkata 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, CPI(M), Minister Congress and AAP among others. , claims CEC The ruling Trinamool Congress and asked him CPM expressed concerns about ‘unto shut up bearable’ harassment faced by common citizens during SIR hearings and TMC minister categorising more than 60 lakh voters Chandrima as ‘under adjudication’ status. The Bhattacharya TMC delegation, comprising minis- alleged the CEC ters Firhad Hakim and Chandrima didn’t want to Bhattacharya and Rajeev Kumar (re- hear their tired DGP), urged the ECI not to con- objections. “He duct the poll without addressing the told me ‘shut up’ when I wanted discrepancies in the voters’ lists. However, the BJP was non-committal to convey on the issue of SIR but demanded that grievances on polls be held in one to three phases and voter deletion in a peaceful environment. “We sought the active deployment of 400 companies of 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. E x p r e s s Re a d NIA asks TTD to strengthen security at temples Tirumala: The NIA has alerted the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to strengthen security measures in all TTD temples across India. The alert follows recent intelligence inputs from the Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) about a foiled attempt at poisoning temple prasadam. The TTD recently announced free food at least two times a day at all the 76 temples it runs across India. Accordingly, all temple in-charges have been instructed to exercise utmost caution by the TTD. No-confidence motion against CEC coming At 110, freedom fighter takes a stand against neglect by sons FIGHTING ON PR E E T H A N A IR @ 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 on Monday at an INDIA bloc meeting chaired by Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, 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 . E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @ Hyderabad At 110, when most people would depend on their children for care and dignity, freedom fighter Ungarla Yadagiri has chosen to take a stand against the alleged abuse and neglect he says he suffered at the hands of his own sons. Now living in a private old age home in Uppal, the frail centenarian has approached the authorities seeking justice. He has alleged that he faced harassment, verbal abuse and even physical assault. His fight for dignity drew the attention of the media and the reports were taken note of by the Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC). The Commission took suo motu cognisance of his case and sought a detailed report on his welfare. Yadagiri, a native of Kesipalli village in Yadadri-Bhuvangiri district, spent his younger years in the freedom struggle and later built a modest agricultural life. Over decades, he acquired nearly 50 acres of far mland. He eventually distributed this among his family in the belief that his children would care for him in his final years. According to information before the Commission, Yadagiri divided the land among his four sons and two daughters. He is also said to have given around `25 lakh to his sons to help them construct their houses. Those gestures of trust, however, are now at the centre of a bitter dispute. Reports before the Commission state that once the land and financial suppor t were transferred, the sons allegedly beg an ne glecting their father, harassing him and resorting to verbal abuse and even physical assault. His gold ornaments were reportedly taken away and he was eventu, ally forced out of his own home. Rather than remain silent, the elderly freedom fighter approached authorities seeking justice. He has reportedly asked that action be taken against his sons and that the land transferred to them be restored so he can support himself independently . Today, he survives with the support of his daughters and a few relatives while residing in the old age home. Taking note of the reports, the TGHRC observed that the allegations raise concerns over the protection of the life and dignity of a senior citizen — particularly that of a centenarian freedom fighter. The Commission said the circumstances described in the reports could amount to a violation of human rights and has directed the Yadadri-Bhuvangiri district collector to submit a report on Yadagiri’s present condition and the steps taken or proposed to be taken in the matter. For Yadagiri, however, the case is not only about legal action. It is about reclaiming the dignity he believes was taken from him — and reminding the world that a freedom fighter should not have to fight his own family for respect in the final chapter of his life.