New Delhi, Mar 9: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Monday released the Manual of Security Instructions 2026 of the Ministry of Defence at a function held in South Block in New Delhi. The manual is a comprehensive document outlining security guidelines for the ministry and will be updated periodically to address the changing security environment.

Speaking at the event, Singh emphasised the importance of strict adherence to security protocols in view of emerging threats and evolving security challenges. He said all officers and security personnel must rigorously follow the prescribed procedures to maintain high standards of security.

The Defence Secretary also appreciated the efforts of the ministry’s Security Office in preparing the detailed guidelines. He urged officials and security personnel to ensure effective implementation of the new instructions, saying the manual would help maintain a secure environment within the ministry.

New Delhi, Mar 09: Petrol and diesel prices will not be increased for now despite international crude oil rates crossing USD 100 per barrel, government sources said on Monday, even as authorities stepped up efforts to maintain uninterrupted fuel supply lines across the country.

As the conflict in West Asia entered the tenth day, world markets plummeted, and Brent crude oil, the international standard, surged to nearly USD 120 a barrel, about 65 per cent higher than when the war started, before retreating.

Top government sources said the government is closely monitoring global oil markets, but there is no immediate plan to raise retail fuel prices. Oil marketing companies are expected to absorb the current cost pressure for the time being.

While the country has adequate stocks of both raw material (crude oil) and finished products (fuels) to meet requirements for the next 6-8 weeks, the government has tweaked the policy for ordering a cooking gas LPG refill.

The minimum gap for booking a domestic LPG refill has been increased to 25 days from the current 21 days, a move aimed at preventing hoarding and ensuring equitable distribution of cylinders.

Sources said the minimum waiting period for booking a domestic LPG cylinder refill increased from 21 days to 25 days to prevent hoarding.

Average households consume 7-8 LPG cylinders of 14.2 kg in a year and should normally not need a refill in less than 6 weeks, they said, adding the refill booking period has been increased to prevent hoarding and creation of artificial scarcity in the market.

The oil companies have an adequate stock of LPG, they added.

Sources said the government is closely monitoring the evolving global energy situation and has taken steps to ensure that supply chains remain stable.

The widening conflict in the Middle East, which began on February 28 when the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran, followed by retaliatory attacks from Tehran, has disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow shipping corridor is a crucial artery for India’s energy supplies, with about 40-50 per cent of the country’s crude oil imports and nearly 85-90 per cent of its LPG shipments from Gulf nations passing through the route.

Sources said that while there is enough crude oil available from alternative sources, such as Russia, replacing any loss of LPG supplies is more time-consuming, as other alternative sources are largely located in the United States and Canada.

To ensure uninterrupted supplies, the government has ordered refineries to maximise LPG production and not use any of its streams for making petrochemicals.

On petrol and diesel, the situation is “very comfortable”, one of the sources said.

“Every petrol pump in the country is functioning, every piped natural gas (to household kitchens) is operational, every CNG station is open,” he said. “There is no cause for panic.”

For India, which imports 88 per cent of its requirement of crude oil, which is turned into fuels like petrol and diesel at refineries, higher global prices translate into a larger import bill and potential inflationary pressures.

However, retail fuel prices are not expected to be raised immediately, as the government continues to follow a calibrated policy of allowing companies to build margins when international prices are low and cushioning consumers when rates rise, sources said.

Retail petrol and diesel prices have been on a freeze since April 2022, with fuel retailers like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) absorbing losses when crude prices are high and making profits when rates are low.

This meant that when global fuel prices went up in response to elevated crude prices, prices were stable in India. And when softening of crude prices pushed down fuel rates globally, rates in India remained unchanged.

The government wants to continue to shield consumers, and the same policy will continue unless there is a huge spike in crude prices, they said.

India imports 88 per cent of its crude oil needs and roughly half of its natural gas requirement. These mostly come via the Strait of Hormuz.

As India scouts for more LPG and gas supplies, some recalibration in supplies to different sectors is being done.

Following the US and Israeli attacks on Iranian government, military and nuclear facilities, Iran warned shipping away from the strait, and insurers withdrew coverage, effectively halting tanker movements.

“They (oil companies) have enough cushion to sustain this kind of price spike,” a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

“We have seen prices rise to USD 119 per barrel in June 2022 in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That year, they had nominal profits, but in FY24, they posted record Rs 81,000 crore profit.”

This year, the three companies have posted Rs 23,743 crore profit in the December quarter alone.

New Delhi, Mar 09: The National Convenor of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA), Nasir Khuehami, on Monday visited the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi and the Iran Culture House to express condolences over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During the visit, Khuehami met Iran’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Mohammad Fathali, and the Representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran in India, Hujjat-ul-Islam Abdul Majeed Hakeem Elahi, and conveyed solidarity and sympathies on behalf of the Association.

On the occasion, Khuehami raised serious concerns regarding the safety of Indian students, including a large number from Kashmir, who are currently stranded in different parts of Iran amid the escalating conflict and continuing airstrikes.

He informed the Ambassador that the Association has been receiving numerous distress calls and messages from students and worried parents whose children are studying in cities such as Qom, Urmia, Arak, and other parts of Iran. Khuehami said the students are extremely anxious and frightened due to reports of explosions, airstrikes, and the rapidly evolving security situation across several regions.

Khuehami urged them to extend all possible support to ensure the safety, protection, and relocation of Indian students to secure locations until arrangements for their evacuation are made. He emphasized the urgent need for coordinated efforts between the Government of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Iranian authorities to facilitate the safe evacuation of Indian students at the earliest.

During the interaction, Hujjat-ul-Islam Abdul Majeed Hakeem Elahi, the Representative of the Supreme Leader of Iran in India, informed Khuehami that efforts are underway to relocate foreign students from vulnerable areas to safer locations, including Qom. He said that they are in touch with the concerned ministries in Iran as well as the Indian Embassy in Tehran regarding the situation.

He further stated that around 500 students have already been relocated so far, a majority of whom belong to Kashmir, in view of the prevailing security conditions.

Khuehami further conveyed to the Ambassador and the Representative that there is widespread panic among students, particularly in Qom and Urmia, due to continuous airstrikes and explosions in nearby areas. He urged them to facilitate necessary permissions and take up the matter with the Iranian Government and the Indian Embassy in Tehran to explore the possibility of evacuating Indian students at the earliest, so that their families back home can find relief amid the growing uncertainty.

The Iranian Ambassador assured that the safety and security of Indian students remains a priority for the Iranian authorities. He stated that the matter would be taken up again with the government in Iran to explore possible evacuation routes via Armenia, Azerbaijan, and other border crossings, depending on the evolving situation, while ensuring the safety of Indian students.

Khuehami expressed hope that timely coordination between the Government of India and the Iranian authorities would ensure the safe relocation and evacuation of students, bringing relief to thousands of anxious families across the country.