LPG shortage affects the commercial sector, Sonam Wangchuk released from Jodhpur jail, and more: The week in 5 charts

(1) LPG shortage in India due to the on-going war in West Asia

Last week, the LPG shortage in the country, triggered by the ongoing West Asia crisis, acutely affected the non-domestic/commercial sector rendering hotels, restaurants, and other businesses in the sector unable to carry on their daily activities. Reports of hotels and eateries either trimming down their menus or shutting shop flooded the news.

Non-domestic LPG consumers have increased over the years. As of January 2026, there was a 29.1% growth in the non-domestic packed segment (19 kg. cylinder) as compared to January 2025, primarily due to price reduction, as per the ‘Industry Consumption Report POL & NG’ by the Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell. Commercial LPG consumption amounts to 10-13% of the total domestic consumption.

The price of an LPG cylinder (14.2 kg)was raised by ₹60 per cylinder across metros as oil companies factored in increased energy prices in view of the West Asia conflict.

However, commercial LPG cylinder distribution has begun in all States and Union Territories, while authorities have stepped up raids and surprise inspections across the country to curb hoarding and black-marketing amid heightened pressure on cooking gas supplies, a senior oil ministry official said on Saturday (March 14, 2026).

Additionally, two Indian ships carrying LPG from the Gulf countries crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning (March 14, 2026), raising the number of Indian vessels safely passing through the war-hit, narrow shipping lane to three.

(2) Sonam Wangchuk released after 170 days as Centre revokes his detention under NSA

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was released from Jodhpur Central Jail on Saturday (March 14, 2026), after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revoked with “immediate effect” his 170-day detention under the National Security Act (NSA).

Mr. Wangchuk was detained since September 26, 2025, two days after police action on violent protests demanding Statehood and Sixth Schedule in Leh left four civilians dead and injured over 90.

The stringent 1980 Act enables detention of an individual for up to a year, based on executive orders and without a trial in a court of law, on the grounds that the person poses a threat to national security or to prevent them from disrupting public order. Here is a timeline of how Mr. Wangchuk’s arrest and case in the Supreme Court unfolded, leading up to his release on Saturday.

The newly appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, welcomed the decision but added that “there is no space for agitation and violence in Ladakh and all issues pertaining to the aspirations and concerns of the people would be addressed through dialogue with various stakeholders, community leaders and citizens.”

(3) U.S. attacks Iran’s Kharg Island

President Donald Trump said on Friday (March 13, 2026) that U.S. forces have “obliterated” military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island and warned that the oil infrastructure there could be next. The small island in the Persian Gulf is the primary terminal through which Iran’s oil exports pass.

“The United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump said on social media.

“I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island. However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider.”

(4) Schedules for Assembly elections across five States/U.T. announced

The Election Commission of India announced the schedules for the Assembly elections across four States (Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu) and the Union Territory of Puducherry on Sunday (March 15, 2026).

Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, Assembly elections to which will occur in a single phase, will go on polls on April 9. Meanwhile, the election in Tamil Nadu, which, too, will happen in a single-phase, will occur on April 23. One the same day, 152 constituencies, listed in the first phase, in West Bengal will go on polls. The remaining 142 constituencies will go on polls on April 29.

Here are the important dates for each of the Assembly elections, as per ECI’s announcement on Sunday:

(5) Oscars 2026: Winners

The 98th Academy Awards unfolded at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday evening (early hours of Monday morning in India), and Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller One Battle After Another emerged as the night’s largest winner with six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Casting, and Best Supporting Actor.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for her work on Sinners. She is also the first woman of colour to be nominated in this category.

Here are the winners and nominees of the 98th Academy Awards:

Published – March 16, 2026 05:15 pm IST