NEW DELHI: Feeling the pinch of a surge in global crude prices, oil marketing companies on Friday increased the retail price of 95-octane premium petrol by nearly Rs 2 a litre and jacked up the rates of industrial diesel by Rs 22 a litre.At the same time, IndianOil, the country’s largest fuel retailer vowed to adopt a “responsible pricing” strategy in an indication that pump prices for normal petrol and diesel may not be raised immediately. In a social media post, IndianOil said there is no automatic fuel price revision in India despite a surge in global fuel prices. “A limited revision applies only to premium petrol XP-95, with minimal impact on overall consumption. Through evolving global conditions, the focus remains clear: consistent supply, responsible pricing, and service you can rely on.”

The retail price of normal petrol and diesel, and aviation turbine fuel, remain unchanged. Officials said less than 5% of people use the premium category of petrol in their vehicles.“Some increase is reported in the premium category, which hardly makes up 2-4% of the entire petrol sold in the country,” said Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the petroleum ministry. Sharma added that the prices of petrol and diesel were deregulated in 2010 and 2014, respectively, and are decided independently by oil companies.The cost of crude for Indian refiners has soared 120% since the conflict in the Gulf broke out on Feb 28, hitting $156.29 a barrel on Friday, wiping out the profits for domestic oil marketing companies. The price of global benchmark Brent crude also reached close to $110 a barrel, nearly 50% higher than the pre-conflict price of $72.87.Officials said the OMCs make profits when rates are low, absorbing losses when crude prices are high.According to oil companies, high-speed diesel for industrial users in Delhi is now available at Rs 109.59 per litre. Officials in oil marketing companies said prices of this category of diesel are linked to international prices and are automatically revised every fortnight.A litre of normal petrol – with an octane rating of 91 and suitable for standard engines – in Delhi continues to cost Rs 94.77, while the same grade of diesel costs Rs 87.67 per litre. The retail prices of normal petrol and diesel were last revised in April 2022.India imports nearly 90% of its crude oil needs and roughly half of its natural gas requirement, which has been disrupted due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

NEW DELHI: Election Commission, acting on directions of Supreme Court and recommendations of Calcutta HC chief justice, on Friday constituted 19 appellate tribunals for hearing appeals against orders passed by designated judicial officers in Bengal in respect of inclusion or exclusion of prospective electors in the state’s electoral roll.Consequent upon the publication of the supplementary electoral roll – after adjudication of ‘doubtful’ cases under SIR by judicial officers – an appellant may file appeals against the orders passed by the designated judicial officers, said EC in a notification issued on Friday.The tribunals, which will hear appeals as per districts or a set of districts, will be headed by former judges, including ex-HC chief justice T S Sivagnanam, who will preside over the appellate tribunal for 24 Parganas North (assembly constituency-wise) and Kolkata districts.The tribunals, likely to be operational by Monday, will be in existence till all appeals are disposed of. Given that the electoral roll is frozen on the last day of nomination, the supplementary lists should be out at the latest by a day prior to the issue of poll notification, giving a week to the tribunals to hear appeals.In case the appeals are decided by the last day of nomination – April 6 for phase 1 and April 9 for phase 2 – those approved for inclusion in the rolls by the tribunals shall be able to vote in the upcoming elections.For those who don’t pass the tribunal test or don’t have their appeals heard before this deadline, the implications are much more than just not being able to vote. If the tribunals rule them as ineligible to be in the roll – essentially for being non-citizens – they will have to be confined to detention centres and deported to their country of origin.Sources in the commission said the tribunals needed to be set up before the supplementary lists were published to offer clarity to those included or excluded from the supplementary list on how and where to file an appeal. As per the EC notification, the appeal may be filed online through the ECINet platform or physically at the office of the DMdistrict magistrate, SDM or SDO concerned.While one tribunal each has been constituted for Purba Medinipur, Coochbehar, Purba Bardhaman, Nadia, Howrah, Dakshin Dinajpur, 24 Parganas South, Hooghly, Paschim Bardhaman, Uttar Dinajpur, Birbhum and Malda districts; four tribunals will hear appeals for two sets of districts; the combination being 24 Parganas (AC wise) and Kolkata; Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar; Paschim Medinipur and Jhargram; and Purulia and Bankura.

Horoscope Today: Read daily horoscope predictions for March 21, 2026. Know all about the astrological events and influences that will be affecting each of the 12 zodiac signs. Our astrologer has analyzed the movements of the planets and the alignment of the stars to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date horoscope predictions for the day ahead. Get ready to discover what the stars have in store for you today.Aries:Today is a favorable day for you. You are likely to receive some inherited property. You may also recover bad debts, which may boost your financial health. Losses may turn into profits now. There may be improvements in relationships with your loved ones. Students may be able to choose the right career path.Taurus:Today, you may be busy at work. You may make some important decisions related to your work, which may help expand your business. You may also receive a big order, which may contribute to business growth. Disputes with your spouse may be settled now, which may create harmony in the family.Gemini:Today, you are blessed by elders. You may feel more spiritual and may visit a religious place with family and friends. You may also plan to consult an elder or advisor for guidance. Singles are likely to find their soulmate. Love birds may enjoy happy moments while dating.Cancer:Today, you may feel dull and may experience some unexplained fears. You are advised to visit a religious place or chant prayers to overcome this situation. Keep an eye on opponents and business rivals; otherwise, you may become a victim of conspiracy. Love birds are advised to avoid unnecessary arguments.Leo:Today, you may spend time with family and friends. You may plan to attend a party or watch movies. Mutual respect may grow between couples, which may strengthen the foundation of your domestic life. Disputes in partnerships may also be resolved. Students are advised to take timely decisions regarding their career. Love birds may take important decisions regarding marriage.Virgo:Today, you may perform well at work. Your relationship with your boss is likely to improve. Your opponents and rivals may now remain under control. Money that was previously stuck may be recovered, which may improve liquidity in your business.Libra:Today, you may be busy with matters related to children. Your child’s health is likely to improve. You may plan for your child’s academic future. Some couples may welcome a new child into the family. You may use your presence of mind to settle disputes in business and social life.Scorpio:Today, you may feel disappointed and unfocused. Negative thoughts may make you upset. You are advised to connect with positive people around you. You may plan to migrate from one place to another. Job seekers may find a new job. Students are advised to remain patient. Singles are likely to find a good match.Sagittarius:Today, you may feel energetic and excited. Your focus on your goals may be strong. Your network may help you grow your business. You are advised to follow your intuition before making investments in fixed assets. Your emotional relationship with your spouse is likely to improve, which may maintain domestic harmony. Singles may find a soulmate with the help of siblings or friends.Capricorn:During the last couple of days, you may have been busy with family and friends and may plan outings with them. Your children’s education may also keep you occupied. However, your child’s health may cause some concern. You are advised to control your speech and ego, as it may affect domestic harmony.Aquarius:Today, you are advised to be careful while signing contracts. Read documents carefully before signing any important papers. Due to overexcitement, you may make silly mistakes. Your boss may be cooperative, and you may expect a promotion in your job. Love birds are advised to avoid discussing family matters unnecessarily.Pisces:Today, you may feel dull. The Moon may make you impatient and nervous, and you may criticize yourself. You are advised to keep an eye on your opponents and rivals. Avoid unrealistic expectations in your professional efforts. It is also advisable to postpone new investments. Take care of your mother and elders.

Growth in India’s eight core infrastructure industries eased to 2.3 per cent in February, down from 3.4 per cent in the same month last year, reflecting weakness in energy-linked segments even as output expanded in several manufacturing-oriented sectors.According to official data, production of crude oil, natural gas and petroleum refinery products declined during the month, moderating the overall expansion in the core sector basket. The eight industries together account for 40.27 per cent of the weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) rose 2.3 per cent (provisional) year-on-year in February 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a release, noting that cement, steel, fertilisers, coal and electricity recorded positive growth during the month.During April–February of FY26, cumulative growth in core infrastructure output stood at 2.9 per cent, compared with 4.4 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous financial year, indicating a broader slowdown in momentum.“The final growth rate of Index of Eight Core Industries for January 2026 was observed at 4.7 per cent. The cumulative growth rate of ICI during April to February, 2025-26 is 2.9 per cent (provisional) as compared to the corresponding period of last year,” the release said.Coal production — carrying a 10.33 per cent weight — increased 2.3 per cent in February over the same month last year. However, its cumulative index remained unchanged at 185.8 during April–February FY26.Crude oil output (8.98 per cent weight) declined 5.2 per cent year-on-year in February, while the cumulative index contracted 2.5 per cent over the April–February period.Similarly, natural gas production (6.88 per cent weight) fell 5.0 per cent during the month, with its cumulative index slipping 3.5 per cent compared with the year-ago period.Production of petroleum refinery products (28.04 per cent weight) declined 1.0 per cent in February and remained marginally lower — by 0.1 per cent cumulatively — during the first eleven months of the fiscal.Among the growth drivers, fertiliser output (2.63 per cent weight) rose 3.4 per cent year-on-year in February and recorded 2.0 per cent cumulative growth during April–February.Steel production — with a 17.92 per cent weight — posted a strong 7.2 per cent increase in February, while cumulative growth stood at 9.7 per cent.Cement output (5.37 per cent weight) expanded 9.3 per cent during the month and recorded 9.2 per cent growth cumulatively over the fiscal period under review.Electricity generation (19.85 per cent weight) increased 0.5 per cent year-on-year in February and registered 0.9 per cent cumulative growth during April–February.The data indicates that while construction-linked and industrial segments continue to lend support, the contraction in energy-related sectors remains a key drag on overall core infrastructure output.(With inputs from Agencies)