India's rabi crops sowing rises 4.4 pc led by wheat

Amid global energy disruptions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the government has assured that the domestic supply of LPG, petrol, diesel, kerosene, and natural gas remains stable, while citizens are urged to avoid panic booking and conserve fuel, said Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, today.

"The country is making arrangements and efforts to explore more alternative destinations to import LNG. It's a kind of pre-emptive measure in case the war goes on for a longer period. Advisories are also being issued to farmers for the wise use of fertilisers," Singh said on the sidelines of a soil health event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in New Delhi.

Sharma said two LNG cargos are on their way to India

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) recorded its highest-ever sales performance during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, bolstered by a 14 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth. According to the Ministry of Steel, SAIL achieved total sales of 18.24 million tonnes (MT) between April 2025 and February 2026. Alongside this volume growth, the company expanded its product portfolio through the reintroduction of chequered plates to meet specific market demands.

The agreement between India and the member States of the European Free Trade Association, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, the partnership has moved from negotiation to implementation with effect from 1 October 2025. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, "The Agreement brings together India and a group of advanced European economies in a framework that supports trade, investment, services, technology collaboration and long-term industrial growth."

The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) today announced that Urea and Phosphatic fertiliser supplies remain adequate to meet agricultural requirements for the forthcoming Kharif season. While global developments, including geopolitical tensions in West Asia, have raised concerns about potential disruptions to fertiliser trade and logistics, current inventory levels and supply arrangements are expected to provide a sufficient cushion to meet agricultural demand.

Indian Oil Corporation has initiated measures to enhance Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) production and prioritise its availability for domestic consumers following geopolitical disruptions to global fuel supplies. In a statement on Tuesday, the corporation confirmed that the Ministry has taken steps for higher LPG production while securing stocks for domestic customers and essential non-domestic sectors.

According to the Petroleum Ministry, the government has issued a control order directing refineries and petrochemical units to maximize the production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and divert key hydrocarbon streams to the LPG pool to ensure an uninterrupted supply of cooking gas across the country. The Petroleum Ministry stated that the invocation of the Act has established a clear priority list for natural gas distribution to manage current supply constraints. Under this new mandate, there is a 100% assured supply of domestic piped gas for homes and CNG for vehicles.

Expanding global trade agreements will open new opportunities for India's farmers, fishermen, and MSMEs as the nation secures "preferential market" status across major international economies, said Union Minister Piyush Goyal. Speaking at the 40th edition of AAHAR, the International Food & Hospitality Fair in New Delhi, Goyal stated that India today covers two-third of global trade with "preferential market access" for Indian goods and services, making the country a "very attractive investment destination."

The Income Tax Department carried out a nationwide verification exercise on restaurants regarding turnovers, revealing a suppression of sales amounting to approximately Rs 408 crore. According to a Ministry of Finance press statement, the investigation targeted tax evasion patterns within the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector following preliminary data analysis initiated in November 2025.