NEW DELHI: Power distribution companies in Mumbai, Delhi and Noida emerged as the top performers in 2024-25 among all electricity utilities surveyed by the ministry of power.Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML), Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) in the capital, and Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) in Uttar Pradesh grabbed the top spots in the distribution utilities ranking. Dakshini Gujarat Vij Company Limited and Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport were placed fourth and fifth, respectively.Delhi’s three power utilities – BSES Rajdhani, BSES Yamuna and TPDDL – remained on top in the consumer service rating of discoms, followed by Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited and Tata Power Company Limited (Maharashtra).Both reports were released on Friday at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026.Though there are 76 state-run and private power discoms in the country, 66 were evaluated for the two surveys as the remaining 10 failed to submit the required documents. For the CSRD report, the discoms were graded into six different categories based on their response to customers. The discoms were evaluated on four parameters: operational reliability; metering, billing and collection; fault rectification and grievance redressal; and connections and other services.The performance of six discoms was categorised as A+, 21 were rated in the A category, and 27 were rated B+. While 10 were placed in the B category, one each was placed in the C+ and C categories. No discom was categorised as D in the rating.“This tiered grading is intended to stimulate healthy competition and encourage continuous improvement in service quality,” the govt said in a statement.Officials said the CSRD report aims to craft a comprehensive strategy to elevate consumer satisfaction and foster cross-disciplinary learning. “It examines a range of consumer-centric services, uses electricity rules’ service standards to assess discoms across key areas, and monitors and evaluates their compliance with and implementation of these rules,” an official said.For the distribution utilities ranking report, a comprehensive and objective assessment of the performance of power distribution utilities was carried out using a multi-dimensional evaluation framework, including institutional capability, financial sustainability, operational efficiency and service delivery outcomes.Officials said the surveys are conducted every year and past performance of discoms is also taken into account while drawing up the final ranking. The report shows where the discoms stood in the last evaluation, whether their performance improved, and the number of places these utilities jumped or slipped compared with the previous survey.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which Tehran called on the India-chaired Brics grouping to play an independent role in “halting aggressions” against Tehran amid the escalating Middle East crisis.This was the second conversation between the two leaders since tensions flared on February 28.In a statement the Iranian embassy in India said, “President of the Islamic Republic of Iran held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of India, during which they discussed and exchanged views on bilateral relations, as well as regional and international developments in light of the continued military aggressions by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran.”Further referring to India’s rotating presidency of Brics, President Pezeshkian “called for the group to play an independent role in halting aggressions against Iran and in safeguarding regional and international peace and stability.”The Iranian president outlined “the dimensions of the aggression, unlawful attacks, and crimes committed by the and the Zionist regime, emphasising that Iran did not initiate the war.” He told PM Modi that “the aggressor without any justification, logic, or legal basis, launched military attacks against Iran during ongoing nuclear negotiations, resulting in the martyrdom of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, senior military commanders, and a number of defenseless civilians, including innocent schoolchildren, as well as targeting public infrastructure,” referring to the strikes carried out under US President Donald Trump’s administration.Pezeshkian further alleged that the US targeted the school in Minab describing it as one of the most serious civilian casualties in the conflict.“US targeted the school in Minab from bases located in neighboring countries hosting military installations, leading to the tragic martyrdom of 168 innocent schoolchildren,” the president said.Pezeshkian also rejected claims by the US that the military action was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.According to the release, he said that in multiple meetings attended by the Supreme Leader, “the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution had firmly opposed nuclear weapons and had issued both administrative and religious directives prohibiting any move toward their development.” He also dismissed allegations portraying Iran as a source of regional instability, asserting instead that Israel has carried out attacks and assassinations “across countries including Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Iraq and Qatar, under the pretext of maintaining security while fueling unrest.”The Iranian president reiterated his country’s willingness to engage in dialogue with global leaders, including on the sidelines of the United Nations, for verification and oversight of its nuclear programme. He described the actions of the US and Israel as “profoundly inhumane and unethical” and strongly condemned them.The Iranian president also proposed the establishment of a regional security framework composed of countries of West Asia, aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the region through regional cooperation without foreign interference. Further expressing deep concern over the escalating tensions, “PM Modi strongly condemned attacks on energy infrastructure, warning that such actions pose serious risks to global food and energy security, as well as agricultural exports,” the release stated.Referring to his ongoing consultations with world leaders, the Prime Minister also reiterated that “war serves no one’s interest and therefore, all parties should move toward peace as soon as possible,” it added.The prime minister also stressed the need to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz and uphold freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, given their critical role in global trade and energy supplies.Also read: ‘Condemn attack on critical infrastructure’: PM Modi speaks to Iran president, says ‘shipping lanes must stay open’Earlier, sharing details of the same conversation on X, PM Modi had said , “Condemned attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.”“Reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure,” he added.The prime minister also appreciated Tehran’s support for Indian nationals, stating that he “appreciated Iran’s continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.”The conversation came amid fresh reports of joint US-Israel strikes on Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Iranian media said the site was targeted again, though there were no immediate signs of radioactive leakage.Amid growing fears of an energy crisis, India has stepped up diplomatic engagement with Iran, focusing on ensuring the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies and the safety of key shipping routes.The government has indicated it is prioritising dialogue and diplomacy rather than joining any US-led military effort in the region.Earlier, external affairs minister S Jaishankar also spoke with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi and “conveyed greetings for Navroz and Eid.”“Our conversation was on the latest developments regarding the conflict and its implications for the larger region,” Jaishankar posted on X.

PUDUCHERRY: AIADMK, a constituent of the NDA, on Saturday said it has happily agreed to contest from two constituencies for the sake of honouring coalition dharma and asserted that it would claim a share in power if the alliance wins the upcoming Assembly polls.Speaking to reporters, AIADMK Puducherry unit secretary A Anbazhagan said his party would contest from Uppalam and Orleanpet constituencies and expressed confidence that NDA would retain power in Puducherry.He said: “During the last Assembly polls held in 2021, we fought from five constituencies and lost them all. This time, we are contesting in two seats and we will win both. Due to several circumstances, AIADMK is fighting from a reduced number of seats. Following the coalition dharma and upholding it, the AIADMK is contesting from only two constituencies.” Further, Anbalagan said talks were held on March 20 and Saturday and following “permission” from party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, “we accepted two seats happily.” Answering a question, the AIADMK leader said his party would for sure seek a share in power when NDA emerges victorious. “Are we in politics to do charity? A natural progress for an MLA is to become a minister,” he said.The ruling AINRC and the BJP-AIADMK combine on Friday reached an agreement for the Assembly polls in the union territory, where the AINRC will contest 16 seats, and the BJP will fight from the remaining 14.The arrangements were finalised after Puducherry Chief Minister and AINRC leader N Rangasamy on Friday held talks with BJP leader and Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya at a hotel here.The BJP, from its kitty, has allocated two seats each to the AIADMK and the Lakshia Jananayaga Katchi (LJK).The BJP on Saturday released a list of nine candidates for the April 9 Assembly polls in Puducherry, fielding Home Minister A Namassivayam for re-election from Mannadipet constituency.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday lauded Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami‘s leadership abilities, calling him “Dhurandhar Dhami.”Addressing a public gathering here on the completion of four years of the Uttarakhand government, the Defence Minister expressed pride and confidence in the government led by CM Dhami and attributed the state’s growth to him. “This gathering has been organised to mark the completion of Pushkar Dhami’s four-year tenure. During the elections, I had told him that the BJP would win under his leadership, and the BJP achieved a clear majority. I had said in a meeting once, ‘Our Dhami is not ordinary, he is Dhakad Dhami… now, he should be called Dhurandhar Dhami. Uttarakhand has secured a leading position in the country across several sectors,” he said. Singh also reminisced about his tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, during which the state of Uttarakhand was formed. “The land of Uttarakhand is the land of the Gods (Devbhoomi). I also served as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand for 10-12 days. It was during my tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh that Uttarakhand was created. Uttarakhand is a land of faith, spirituality, culture, and sages; it is revered as a place of penance,” the Defence Minister said. Furthermore, the Defence Minister reflected on ongoing tensions in West Asia and said that the Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi-led government aims to resolve it through “dialogue and diplomacy.”“Today, the entire world is passing through a period of crisis. This is a matter of concern not just for India, but for the whole world. Even today, our Prime Minister has said that the solution to war will not come through war itself, but through dialogue and diplomacy. A solution to this global problem must be found through conversation and diplomatic efforts,” he said. He further lauded the PM’s efforts in handling a potential energy or fertiliser crisis, which he said could have emerged due to the conflict. “Given the current global crisis, it is possible that, like other countries, we too could have faced an energy or fertilizer crisis. However, through his charismatic wisdom and foresight, our Prime Minister has so far prevented India from getting trapped in this crisis. The efforts being made by our Prime Minister to resolve this crisis at a global level should be supported by Uttarakhand as well.”“Our Prime Minister has held India’s head high in the world in a charismatic manner. Today, when India speaks on international platforms, the world listens with rapt attention,” he added.

Here are the top news of the day:

PM Modi speaks to Iran president, condemn attack on ‘critical infrastructure’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, strongly condemning attacks on critical infrastructure amid the escalating Middle East crisis. He warned that such actions threaten regional stability and disrupt vital global supply chains.The Prime Minister also conveyed greetings on Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz amid the conflict, saying “we expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability and prosperity to West Asia.”Read full story

Natanz targeted again: US, Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear site, no radiation leak reported

United States and Israel carried out fresh strikes on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, further intensifying the ongoing conflict. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that the Natanz facility was targeted in the joint US-Israeli attack.It added that there were no immediate signs of radioactive leakage and residents in the surrounding area were not at risk.Officials described the attack as part of sustained assaults on the country’s infrastructure, noting that Natanz had already been targeted earlier this month during previous rounds of military action. Read full story