FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI Goyal calls for WTO reforms keeping 'development' at core Page 10 BRIEFLY Army, Air Force, Coast Guard to get major capability upgrades after DAC nod: New Delhi: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday, granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for various proposals worth an estimated cost of about Rs 2.38 lakh crore. For the Indian Army, approval was accorded for the Air Defence Tracked System, Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition, High Capacity Radio Relay, Dhanush Gun System, and Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System. The Air Defence Tracked System will provide real-time Air Defence Control and Reporting capability, while the High Capacity Radio Relay will provide reliable and fail proof communication. The Dhanush Gun System will enhance the artillery's capabilities to engage targets at longer ranges in all terrains with enhanced lethality and accuracy. Saturday, 28 March 2026 SPORTS WORLD BUSINESS | Balendra Shah sworn in as Nepal’s 47th Prime Minister NATION ‘India has adequate storage of fertilizers, no need to panic’ Page 5 Page 9 New faces, old fire: Kolkata Knight Riders target return to IPL glory Page 12 Centre slashes excise duty on petrol, diesel to shield consumers from global oil shock STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE THIS DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE STEEP AND RAPID RISE IN INTERNATIONAL CRUDE OIL PRICES DRIVEN BY THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN WEST ASIA AND ASSOCIATED DISRUPTIONS TO GLOBAL ENERGY SUPPLY CHAINS. New Delhi, 27 March T he Centre on Friday slashed excise duty by Rs 10 per litre on both p etrol and diesel with immediate effect. This decision has been taken in response to the steep and rapid rise in international crude oil prices, which have surged from approximately USD 70 per barrel to around USD 122 per barrel over the past month — an increase of nearly 75 per cent in under four weeks, driven by the ongoing conflict in West Asia and associated disruptions to global energy supply chains. Retail pump prices of petrol and diesel will not change. The excise reduction is not being passed on as a price cut at the pump. Instead, it directly reduces the under-recoveries being absorbed by public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation — who have continued to supply fuel to Indian consumers at prices well below their cost of supply. At current international crude prices, under-recoveries stand at approximately Rs 26 per litre on petrol and Rs 81.90 per litre on diesel. The combined daily under-recovery being absorbed by OMCs is approximately Rs 2,400 crore. The excise reduction offsets Rs 10 per litre of these losses, ensuring OMCs can continue to supply fuel without disruption while keeping retail prices unchanged. The contrast with global fuel markets is instructive. Fuel prices have risen by 30 to 50 per cent across South and South-East Asian countries, 30 per cent in North America, and 20 per cent in Europe since the onset of the current crisis. India has held the line. That stability carries a fiscal cost, and the government has chosen to bear it. Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, “ The government had two choices: either increase prices drastically for citizens of Bharat as all other nations have done, or bear the brunt on its finances so that the Indian citizen is insulated from international volatility. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji decided to take a hit on government finances to safeguard the Indian citizen. The government has taken a substantial impact on its taxation revenues to reduce the high losses being faced by oil marketing companies at this time of sky-high international prices.” Alongside the excise reduction, the government has simultaneously introduced an export levy on diesel. At a time when international diesel prices have surged sharply, the levy is designed to disincentivise exports and ensure that refinery output is directed first towards meeting domestic demand. Keeping Indian pumps fully supplied takes precedence over export opportunities, however commercially attractive those may be at current global prices. This decision is consistent with the approach adopted since the Russia-Ukraine conflict of 2022, when OMCs absorbed sustained losses, and the government cut central taxes to shield households and businesses from global price volatility. The same principle governs today’s intervention: India’s citizens and industry should not bear the cost of disruptions they did not cause. The government will continue to monitor the evolving global energy situation and take all measures necessary to maintain supply stability and price protection for Indian consumers. PM Modi stresses ‘Team India’ approach to tackle situation arising from West Asia conflict: New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday chaired a crucial meeting via video conference with Chief Ministers of states and Union Territories to coordinate India’s response to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, amid rising concerns over energy security and supply disruptions. The high-level meeting focused on assessing preparedness, response mechanisms, and forward planning, with states presenting contingency strategies and readiness updates. Senior leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in the virtual meeting, alongside several Chief Ministers such as N. Chandrababu Naidu, Yogi Adityanath, Omar Abdullah, Bhagwant Mann, Hemant Soren, Devendra Fadnavis, and Revanth Reddy, among others. Chief Ministers from poll-bound states did not attend due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Officials confirmed that a separate meeting for Chief Secretaries of these states would be conducted through the Cabinet Secretariat to ensure coordination remains unaffected. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that the government has chosen to absorb the financial impact rather than pass on the full burden of rising fuel costs to consumers. EAM discusses West Asia Mamata Banerjee urges centre to restrict crisis with Marco Rubio LPG outflow amid West Asia tensions STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 27 March External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday is understood to have held talks on the ongoing war in West Asia and India’s energy requirements with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the margins of the G7 ministerial meeting in France. The ongoing war in Ukraine is also believed to have figured prominently during the meeting. “Useful talk this morning with US @SecRubio,’’ Jaishankar wrote on X later. The US official is believed to have informed Jaishankar that President Donald Trump is committed to reaching a ceasefire and negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war as soon as possible. Jaishankar held talks with his counterparts from many other countries. He also spoke at the G7 meeting with invited partners on reform of global governance. He underlined that the uncertainties arising from the conflicts in West Asia only make a stronger case for more resilient trade corridors and supply chains. At the same time, India’s FTAs with the European Union, EFTA members and UK have enhanced the utility of the Indian Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC). Jaishankar also spoke about the urgency of UNSC reforms, streamlining peacekeeping operations and strengthening humanitarian chains. He specifically raised Global South’s concerns about energy challenges, fertilizer supplies and food security. UNITED NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 27 March West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee issued a strong message to the Central Government, urging that cooking gas produced within the state should not be sent outside. The chief minister’s warning comes amid rising concerns over LPG supply due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. “The situation in West Asia is alarming and this has led to a shortage of LPG in the country. In this condition the gas produced in West Bengal must be retained. They should not be sent to other states. This will help to maintain adequate supply for residents of this state,” the chief minister said at Kolkata airport before departing for Andal. Expressing concern over the presence of huge numbers of government officials and security personnel in the state during the election, the chief minister said, “Around 10 lakh people will come from outside for election duty. While arranging gas for them, there must be no shortage for the people of Bengal.” Banerjee further added that though kerosene supply has been increased and will be distributed through the ration system but most people now rely on LPG for cooking, making the situation more sensitive. Meanwhile, the Central Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sought to reassure citizens amid the West Asia crisis. Officials stated that domestic LPG production has been increased by 40 per cent to The gas produced in West Bengal must be retained. They should not be sent to other states. This will help to maintain adequate supply for residents of this state. WEST BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER MAMATA BANERJEE maintain uninterrupted supply. India requires around 80,000 metric tonnes of LPG daily, and despite reduced imports due to the conflict, authorities have assured that no immediate shortage is expected. Even as the Centre projects confidence, Banerjee’s remarks underline growing political and public concern over fuel security in the current geopolitical climate. Reacting to the central government’s decision to reduce excise duties on petrol and diesel the chief minister said, “Let the prices come down first. How much had they increased? It’s like a saree shop—priced at 1,000 rupees and then reduced to 400. They increased it by thousands of percent. What difference will this duty cut make? I want people to benefit so that they do not face hardship.” Earlier on Thursday, severe storms and heavy rain caused difficulties during the landing of the Chief Minister’s flight at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata. Due to adverse weather conditions, the aircraft was unable to land at the scheduled time and circled in the air for nearly one and a half hours, leaving the Chief Minister stranded mid-air. The flight eventually landed safely at 5:19 PM. Live-in relationship not a crime even if man is married: Allahabad High Court India slams Munir’s remarks, cites Pakistan’s systemic minority persecution STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 27 March Prayagraj, 27 March The Allahabad High Court has delivered a significant verdict on live-in relationships, stating that a married man living in a live-in relationship does not constitute a criminal offence. The Court observed that social morality cannot override its duty to protect the rights of citizens. The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena here on Friday. A couple living in a live-in relationship had filed a petition seeking protection, stating that they were receiving threats from the woman’s family. The Court restrained the woman’s family from causing any harm to the couple. They have also been prohibited from entering the couple’s residence or contacting them, either directly or indirectly. The Court further directed that the SSP of Shahjahanpur shall be personally responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the couple. Counsel for the woman’s family argued that since the man was already married, living with another woman constituted a crime on his part. However, the Court remarked that the law must be kept distinct from social morality. “There is no offence under which a married individual living in a live-in relationship with another consenting adult can be prosecuted.” The Court stated that if an act does not constitute a crime under the law, its duty to protect citizens’ rights cannot be dictated by social opinion or morality. The Court noted that the woman had already submitted an application to the SSP, Shahjahanpur, stating that she is an adult and is living in a live-in relationship of her own free will. The petitioner alleged that her parents and other family members are opposed to the relationship and have threatened to kill her. Both individuals expressed fear of an “honour killing.” The Court pointed out that the SSP had failed to take action on the complaint. It emphasized that it is the duty of the police to ensure the safety of two consenting adults living together, and that the Superintendent of Police bears a special responsibility in this regard. The Court noted that a joint affidavit by both petitioners had been annexed to the petition and concluded that a prima facie case had been established. The High Court issued notice to the State Government, returnable on April 8, and granted protection to the couple in a kidnapping case registered on the complaint of the woman’s family. The Court also stayed the arrest of the petitioners—Anamika and Netrapal—until further orders. An FIR has been registered against the petitioners as Case Crime No. 4/2026 at Jaitipur Police Station in Shahjahanpur under Section 87 of the BNS, 2023. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Denouncing the recent remarks made by Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir during a meeting with senior Shia clerics of the country, in which he reportedly stated that those sympathetic to Iran should relocate there, India on Friday said such comments are not isolated incidents, but are part of Pakistan's systemic victimisation of its minorities, including the Shia minority in that country. Addressing a weekly media briefing in the national capital, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said such comments reflects Pakistan's long standing MEA SPOKESPERSON RANDHIR JAISWAL SAID MUNIR’S REMARKS REFLECT PAKISTAN’S LONG-STANDING OPPRESSION OF MINORITIES, HIGHLIGHTING DECLINING MINORITY POPULATIONS DUE TO FEAR, DISCRIMINATION, AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. pattern of persecution against minorities, including the Shia community. "The shrinking numbers of minorities in Pakistan over several decades reflect the kind of fear, persecution, oppression and neglect that they have had to endure at the hands of the Pakistani state," the MEA spokesperson said.