Mumbai: With the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) advising state pollution regulators to temporarily allow industries, hotels and restaurants to use alternate fuels in view of LPG supply constraints, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) chairman Siddhesh Kadam said his department was drafting a proposal to expedite it. A final call, however, will be taken by the state govt. In the meantime, several restaurants have begun using pellets, coal, biomass, etc. In an advisory issued on March 12 to all PCBs and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs), the CPCB said establishments operating under Consent to Operate (CTO) are usually required to use specific approved fuels so that emissions remain within prescribed norms. Bombay High Court had also stressed that public health and the right to clean air must take precedence over commercial considerations while dealing with pollution sources in Mumbai. Hearing PILs on rising pollution, the court had directed authorities to ensure that bakeries, restaurants and other establishments shift from wood- or coal-based ovens to cleaner fuels.However, citing an “extraordinary situation” caused by LNG supply disruption, the national pollution watchdog said state regulators may permit temporary use of alternate fuels after consulting the respective state govts or Union Territory administrations.According to the advisory, establishments may be allowed to switch to fuels such as biomass or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pellets in place of PNG for a limited period. The CPCB clarified that such permission should be granted only for a short duration and not exceeding one month from the date of issuance of the advisory.The board also said that if these alternative fuels are not available, use of kerosene or coal could be considered as a temporary option, subject to consultation with the state govt and compliance with directions issued by courts or other competent authorities.The move comes amid fuel supply disruptions that have affected commercial establishments, particularly eateries and small industrial units, in major cities. Restaurants and small businesses rely heavily on PNG or LPG for daily operations.Officials said the temporary relaxation is aimed at ensuring that commercial activity is not disrupted. Environmental groups, however, cautioned that allowing kerosene or coal could worsen air quality in the city at a time when rising heat and humidity already contribute to deteriorating pollution levels.Stakeholders in the oil sector too questioned the viability of the move. Fuel dealer Kedar Chandak said bulk kerosene stocks rarely exist since the banning of the fuel a few years ago. The Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association president, Vijay Shetty, said even finding coal for his restaurant was difficult.

New Delhi: GMR Sports has expressed interest in the commercial rights tender floated by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the men’s and women’s football club competitions. FanCode and Capri Sports (part of Capri Global) are the other two parties that have also shown interest in the proposed 15+5-year commercial rights cycle.It is learnt that Capri Sports’ interest is in the women’s tournaments under the packages offered by the AIFF.

AIFF are hoping to sell the commercial rights for the competitions for a minimum of 15 years. If the bidders agree, it can be extended to 20 years.The commercial rights, part of AIFF’s Vision 2047, include two packages: Package A (Indian Super League and Federation Cup) and Package B (Indian Women’s League, Indian Women’s League 2 and possibly the Women’s Federation Cup).

GMR Sports are involved with multiple sporting properties: Delhi Capitals (IPL franchise), Dubai Capitals (ILT20 franchise), India Capitals (Legends League Cricket franchise), UP Yoddhas (Pro Kabaddi League franchise), Telugu Yoddhas (Kho Kho franchise), Seattle Orcas (Major League Cricket franchise), Southern Brave (The Hundred franchise), Hampshire Cricket, the Utilita Bowl stadium and the Rugby Premier League.After releasing the Request for Proposal (RFP) on March 2, interested parties were required to pay Rs 2.5 lakh for the tender document. The interested parties then attended the pre-bid conference on March 11.The last date for bid submissions is March 19 and the bids (technical and commercial) will be opened on March 20.AIFF’s previous attempt to sell the commercial rights found no takers in November. However, that came against the backdrop of uncertainty related to the ISL, which eventually started after a five-month delay on February 14.

The 2025-26 ISL season is currently being played in a truncated format and needed intervention from the Sports Minister to get the ball rolling. All 14 teams agreed to play the season, which will witness 91 matches on a home-and-away basis.Earlier, global broadcast rights for the ISL were sold to FanCode for Rs 8.62 crore, which further sub-licensed them to the Sony Sports Network. Meanwhile, Kaleidoscope Production and Services (KPS Studios) was awarded the production rights, both global and domestic.

Gold might be hitting the headlines with its sky-high prices, but Uranium is the real sleeper making a mark in the energy circles.With fuel shortages coming under the spotlight, amid closed routes and supply-line disruptions due to the US-Iran conflict. Nations are now looking forward to cleaner power, and demand for nuclear fuel is surging to power massive reactors that provide carbon-free electricity for millions.

And China just hit the jackpot as a massive reserve of Uranium was discovered in the country!

30 million tons of Uranium found under China’s desert – could this fuel the world amid the LPG crisis? (Representative Image)

China’s massive Uranium trove in the Ordos Desert

China recently made a massive Uranium discovery under the Ordos Desert in Inner Mongolia’s Jingchuan area, with estimates pegging it at 30 million tons, according to a Futura Sciences report. This super-large deposit, announced by the China Geological Survey (CGS) under the Ministry of Natural Resources, marks the world’s first ultra-large Uranium haul in aeolian sandstone landforms.

Discovery comes at the perfect time for China

China is rapidly shifting away from fossil fuels and constructing 11 new nuclear reactors to meet surging energy demands. This vast uranium reserve could power the nation for generations, cutting dependence on imports from leading producers like Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, and Namibia, according to a Chuna Daily report.It is believed that it will greatly enhance energy security as nuclear capacity grows. “The discovery is a game-changer for China’s energy security,” said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University, according to China Daily.CGS chief scientist Jin Ruoshi described it as a “new frontier for uranium exploration worldwide.” He pointed to aeolian sandstone covering 200,000 square kilometers in the Ordos Basin and others like Tarim and Junggar, suggesting more discoveries ahead.

Global ripples and power shifts

If mined big, China could flood the market, crashing prices and changing trade rules. Self-sufficiency means less sway from abroad, arming Beijing in climate talks and energy deals. Zhao Xiangbin, chief strategist at Beijing Gold and Forex Fortune Investment Management, called it a “safeguard against supply chain vulnerabilities” for China’s nuclear push.And this is not just hype, China’s already producing from Ordos via its National Uranium No.1 project, the biggest domestic mine.

Representative Image

Desert mining ain’t easy

Water-guzzling operations, radioactive waste, and ecosystem hits loom large in this dry, fragile zone. Worker safety and community buy-in hinge on green safeguards. Still, it slots into China’s mix of nukes, solar, and wind for a low-carbon future.

Mumbai: Against the backdrop of the Iran–Israel conflict, the Maharashtra government has initiated several measures to ensure uninterrupted supply of domestic and commercial gas cylinders. To prevent any disruption in domestic LPG supply and to coordinate effectively in case of a potential shortage, the state government has decided to establish special committees at the district level, said the minutes of the meeting of state government authorities with all concerned stakeholders.Additional chief secretary of the food, civil supplies and consumer protection department, Anil Diggikar, has directed all concerned agencies to take necessary steps to maintain smooth LPG supply and ensure proper monitoring of distribution across the state.The department has assured citizens that the supply of domestic LPG cylinders will remain uninterrupted and there is no need for concern.During March, the availability of domestic LPG cylinders is higher than the supply recorded over the last six months. In view of the ongoing geopolitical situation, instructions have been issued to all agencies to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply. Industry minister Uday Samant has said that the issues of export finance and alternative fuel arrangements faced by industries amid the ongoing West Asia crisis will be taken up by the state government with the Centre.He was speaking to reporters after a meeting with industrial associations and factory owners in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday evening. To prevent disruptions in domestic LPG supply and to facilitate coordination in case of a potential shortage, district-level committees will be constituted. These committees will include the district collector, superintendent of police, district supply officer and officials from all government gas companies.Their key responsibilities will include monitoring the LPG supply chain, maintaining law and order, and submitting daily reports on the situation.In the Mumbai–Thane rationing area, a committee will function under the controller of rationing and will include the deputy commissioner of police and deputy controller (rationing). Coordination with all deputy commissioners in Mumbai and Thane will be carried out by the joint commissioner of police (administration).Authorities have also been instructed to explore the possibility of using alternative fuels such as coal or kerosene, while strictly adhering to the norms of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. District-level committees will also hold meetings with hotel and restaurant associations to encourage the use of alternative fuels where feasible.Institutions providing essential services such as hospitals, government hostels, mess facilities in government schools and colleges, the mid-day mmeal dcheme, and government-run ashram schools will receive priority supply of domestic or commercial LPG cylinders. A list of such institutions will be issued and a separate priority order will be implemented.To prevent rumours regarding gas supply, instructions have been given to disseminate information daily through radio, FM channels, television and print media. The Directorate General of Information and Public Relations along with district committees will handle this communication. Action will also be taken against fake or misleading information circulated on social media.Oil companies have been directed to resolve technical issues related to gas booking apps and missed-call services immediately. Control rooms will also be set up at the state, divisional, district and taluka levels, and a WhatsApp facility will be made available for grievance redressal.Considering upcoming religious festivals, priority will also be given to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply to public institutions.Local representatives and Gram Panchayat members will assist in preventing panic among citizens regarding gas supply. Police authorities will provide necessary protection to LPG transport vehicles and gas agencies.District administrations, rationing controllers and oil companies have been mandated to submit daily stock status and updated reports to the state-level control room.The average daily demand for LPG in Maharashtra is around 9,000 metric tonnes. To meet this demand, LPG production at refineries has been increased from 9,000 metric tonnes to about 11,000 metric tonnes per day over the past two days. Authorities have clarified that there is no shortage of domestic LPG in the state and sufficient production and stock are available to meet demand.For commercial LPG, priority allocation is being implemented as per the guidelines of the Central Government. Essential services such as hospitals, mid-day meal schemes in schools, ashram schools, community kitchens and mess facilities in government educational institutions are being given priority.Adequate stock of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for domestic use is also available. Similarly, the state has sufficient reserves of petrol and diesel. Refineries in Maharashtra are operating at full capacity to meet market demand, producing approximately 15,000 kilolitres of petrol and 38,000 kilolitres of diesel per day. The department has appealed to citizens not to panic regarding fuel supply, assuring that adequate arrangements have been made to meet all requirements.