TUESDAY LPG refill booking gap cut to 25 days 08 SEPTEMBER, 2026 The Centre has directed oil marketing companies to revise refill booking interval for all domestic consumers of cooking gas epaper.morningstandard.in facebook.com/TheMorningStandard MOVE FOLLOWS DIP IN REFILL X.com/TheMornStandard Recently, India significantly diversified its LPG imports, with the United States emerging as the country’s largest supplier The earlier interval for refill booking for rural consumers was 45 days. Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said on Monday that the decision follows an improvement in LPG supply situation and a reduction in refill backlog WEST ASIA HORMUZ TRAFFIC LOWEST SINCE MAY An average of just 10 merchant vessels ships transited the Strait of Hormuz per day in the last 10 days, the lowest since May, data released by Kpler showed GULF WAR EFFECT ON LPG SUPPLY A CAPITAL VIEW OF NEWS PAGE 9  NEW DELHI  J8.00  Owing to the West Asia crisis, LPG was the worst-hit fuel, as India imports 60% of its domestic requirement, with 90% of those from the Gulf | P10 PAGES 12 Defence ministry Owner held in Raj, HC pulls up civic body & DU clears purchases worth `1.1 lakh cr U D AYA N K I S H O R E & I F R A H M U F T I @ New Delhi Forces to get advanced choppers, radars; Su-30MKI fighter jets to get major upgrade J A V A R I A R A N A @ New Delhi THE defence ministry on Monday cleared military hardware purchases worth `1.1 lakh crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force. Approximately 98% of the procurement by value will come from Indian industry . The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or inprinciple administrative approvals, for the defence acquisitions. For the Air Force, the DAC cleared “various proposals to enhance the war-fighting capability of fighters, transports and helicopters”. Sources said these include the overhaul of 40 Su-30MKIs by Hindustan Aeronautics, twice the number the PSU had earlier proposed. IAF operates around 260 Su-30MKIs, its mainstay fighter fleet. The DAC had earlier cleared the overhaul of Su-30 aero-engine aggregates. The approval seeks to address a gap in the IAF’s long-range beyond-visual-range capability with Operation Sindoor underscoring the , requirement. The overhaul covers modifications to allow the Sukhois to fire the RVV-BD, the export version of Russia’s R-37M missile. Weighing 510 kg and carrying a 60-kg warhead, the missile has a range of 200 km and is designed to engage AWACS aircraft, aerial refuellers and other high-value airborne assets. For the Navy, the DAC cleared the design, development and subsequent procurement of a marine gas turbine in the 24-28 MW class, with the ministry saying the propulsion system “will reduce dependency on foreign vendors”. India currently imports turbines for several frontline destroyers and frigates. The Navy will also get Arudhra radars, which “will replace the existing Air Route Surveillance Radars at various Naval Air Stations”. Developed by the DRDO, Arudhra is a four-dimensional active phased-array radar with an instrumented range of 400 km whichis able to detect a two-square-metre target at up to 300 km. The Army stands to get more HAL-built advanced light helicopters, or Dhruv, to “execute complex missions across all terrains and operational situations”. A `8,073 crore deal for 34 ALH Mk-III was signed with HAL in March 2024. A day after seven people were killed when a multi-storey paying guest (PG) accommodation collapsed in Satya Niketan, its owner Hariram Gupta was arrested in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, on Monday and the Delhi High Court ordered a one-week audit of hostels across the city . Gupta, the 81-year-old retired Indian Air Force Sergeant, was held by Delhi Police teams following a case registered against him for culpable homicide and negligence in maintaining the structure and endangering the safety of oth- DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity to various acquisition proposals at an estimated cost of `1,10,000 cr CBRN recce vehicles The Army is set to get Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear recce vehicles, high mobility vehicles, self-propelled mechanical mine layers, advanced light helicopters, and trawl tanks AoN is the first step in defence acquisition. The process involves tech evaluation, trials as well as negotiations. Big acquisitions will require more govt approvals S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi Targeting CJI retirement Chief Justice Surya Kant said the Aravalli panel was waiting for his retirement. “They should have clearly asked for a date after my retirement,” Justice Kant said, who will retire on Feb. 9, 2027. port on the Aravalli issue. If they are unable to do that in two months, we will reconstitute the whole panel,” the chief justice observed. floors only in his name. Police are searching for the PG operators and the labour contractor. Their roles in the construction and operation of the premises will be probed. I F R A H M U F T I @ New Delhi Defence ministry Acceptance of Necessity PG-owner Hariram Gupta (left) with his son after their arrest on Monday | X The HC on Monday has termed the collapse “most unfortunate” and directed the authorities to step up rescue efforts. A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, hearing a PIL on the incident, directed the MCD to conduct an audit of PGs and hostels within one week. The HC said responsibility for the tragedy could not rest only with building owners, observing that the MCD and Delhi University also had a role to play. It noted that students from outside Delhi were often forced to depend on private PG accommodations because of THE SOUND OF RESCUE & THE SILENCE OF LOSS Rescue personnel continued with search operation on the second day on Monday. They also helped civic authorities clear debris from crash site | PTI SONAM WANGCHUK SAYS NO TO POLITICS CJI livid, turns down Aravalli panel’s petition seeking extension till Feb ’27 THE Supreme Court on Monday came down strongly on the High-Powered Committee for the Aravallis when the panel sought a long extension to submit its report on the issue of definition and protection of the hills. The court war ned it would reconstitute the panel if the committee failed to meet the new deadline. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana directed the five-member panel to submit its report by November 30, rejecting its request to extend the deadline till February 28, 2027. “Let the panel work day and night to submit a re- ers. A lookout notice had also been issued against Gupta. Gupta, a resident of Gurugram, allegedly owned several properties and a hardware shop. Police said the collapsed property was registered in the name of his 75-year-old wife, Urmila Gupta, while Gupta and their 52-year-old son, Mahesh Gupta, were running the premises. Gupta and his wife, Urmila were sent to 14 days of judicial custody while Mahesh , was remanded in a two-day police custody after they were produced at the judge’s house on Monday . Gupta reportedly had electricity connections for two The apex court-appointed High-Powered Committee had sought six more months, saying it needed more time for a “comprehensive and defensible” assessment of the Aravalli range. An irked chief justice remarked that the committee was waiting for his retirement. “They should have clearly asked for a date after my retirement. It appears they are waiting for my retirement. We are not going to allow this, Kant told additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, who appeared for the Centre. Justice Kant will retire on February 9, 2027. “The high-powered committee has sought extension till February 28, 2027, with first stroke of pen. We reject this plea,” the bench recorded. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a 26-day fast protesting against the NEET paper leak, says he wants to avoid being involved in political party dynamics | P7 EXPRESS READ Manipuri musician killed in city by dhaba workers A 54-year-old Manipuri musician died after a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff allegedly assaulted him when he objected to their shouting and drinking alcohol outside his Kilokari village apartment in the early hours of Monday. Police have arrested seven men and apprehended one juvenile in the case. P4 Delay in clean air drives to cost city dear: Report A UNEP-CCAC report warns that delaying Delhi’s progress towards national air-quality standards by eight years could halve PM2.5 exposure reductions by 2040. Globally, the report estimates every $1 invested in integrated climate and clean-air action could generate $15 in economic benefits and cut emissions. P4 A different kind of noise was heard in Satya Niketan on Monday. Not the familiar sounds of students spilling out of cafes and dhabas, conversations flowing onto the streets and vehicles weaving through the crowded lanes, but of the relentless roar of JCB machines, ambulances and the anxious conversations of rescue teams. The debris-laden vacant plot, where a multi-storey building housing PG accommodation had stood until it collapsed on Sunday drew vacant stares , from locals and onlookers alike. It had been part of the neighbourhood’s everyday landscape; now, it was reduced to a heap of concrete, iron and dust. For those standing behind the barricades, the scene was a stark reminder of how close death had come. More than 24 hours after the building collapsed, the neighbourhood remained suspended between grief and hope. Rescue teams worked through the night and into the second day, with bodies recovered in the early hours around 3 am and again at noon, nine hours apart. At the site, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel moved through the debris while Delhi University students stood behind the barricades, their eyes fixed on the ruins, waiting for one announcement that their “missing friend” had been found. The area had been cordoned off. Residents and students in nearby buildings were asked to remain there, while no one was allowed to enter or leave except officials on duty . CONTINUED ON P4 inadequate hostel facilities provided by the university . The HC directed DU to submit details of outstation students and hostel facilities. It also sought information from the MCD on whether a regulatory framework exists for PG accommodations. The MCD has suspended five officials of its south zone, including deputy commissioner Rakesh Kumar and four building departmentofficials—superintending engineer Ranvir Singh, executive engineer Lalit Kumar Goel, assistant engineer Sunil Chauhan and junior engineer Ashish Kumar. MORE REPORTS ON P3 & P4 2-bedroom flat costs `22K/month in the area A two-bedroom flat in the Satya Niketan area can cost around `22,000 a month. For a student unable to afford that alone, sharing with three others brings the rent to about `5,500 per person. But rent is only one part of the calculation. There is the daily commute to university, which can cost up to `40 for a round trip, along with food, books and other expenses. They need to factor in electricity charges. Students begin to move out of Satya Niketan By Sunday evening, nearby PG accommodations had been evacuated. Shops and cafes remained shut. Students walked out carrying luggage, some heading home, others looking for friends to stay with or trying to find temporary refuge in college spaces. That was the sense of fear among students, most of whom were in constant touch with their families, who instructed them to not take any chances by continuing to stay in the area. MOVING FROM CO-OPERATION TO CO-CREATION US market open for Indian space startups, says Sergio Gor PA D M I N I D H R U V A R A J & B O S K Y K H A N N A @ Bengaluru US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday said that the American market is open for Indian space startups as the two countries move towards ‘co-creation’ from ‘cooperation’ and data-sharing. Stressing that NASA and ISRO will work together on the Moon Base Programme, he said: “Make no mistake: we are going back to the Moon, and we want India by our side.” Gor said the US-India space relationship is moving towards joint technology development, investment in startups and future space missions. “We are no longer just sharing data; we are co-designing instruments, co-funding startups, and co-authoring the future of human discovery he ,” said, referring to discussions between the two countries on expanding their civil space partnership. Pixxel raises $100 mn Bengaluru-based planetaryinfrastructure company Pixxel on Monday announced the close of its $100-million Series C funding round, marking the single-largest funding round organised by a spacetechnology company in India. The round brings Pixxel’s total funding to $195 million “The American market is open to you. Our investors are watching. Our ecosystems welcome you. We are here to help you make that leap,” he said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Bengaluru Space Expo. India’s space sector reforms have ignited a commercial awakening. Innovators like Pixxel and GalaxEye are redefin- ing Earth observation. Digantara is leading the way in space situational awareness. Bellatrix is propelling space forward. Pioneers like Skyroot and Agnikul are building next-generation launch capabilities, he said. He said the US wants to build a direct commercial corridor between American industry and Indian innovators. “The US and India are working together on multiple sectors and at unthinkable working levels.” Gor’s remarks come as India seeks to expand the role of private firms in its space programme. The government opened the sector to greater private participation in 2020, and companies have since increasingly entered rocket manufacturing, satellite development and spaceb a s e d services. SC judge shoots off 4th letter to CJI against Rajasthan HC’s Justice Sharma BENGAL S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi THE internal war in higher judiciary has intensified with Supreme Court’s Justice Sandeep Mehta writing his fourth consecutive letter to Chief Justice Surya Kant against Rajasthan High Court’s acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, levelling fresh charges of interfering in an internal judicial enquiry and misconducts. Quoting CJI Surya Kant’s earlier remark that judges should not try to “hit sixes” before retirement, Justice Mehta in his fourth letter on August 30 wrote in a reference, “Justice Sharma seems to be possessed of a licence to hit sixes ever since he took over as Acting Chief Justice.” According to sources in the Supreme Court registry, the said internal judicial enquiry relates to allegations that a Judicial corruption at HC In his fourth letter dated August 30, Justice Mehta said he has “material” against Justice Sharma regarding arbitrary rule changes, judicial interference and corruption and administrative breakdown at Rajasthan HC High Court judicial officer displayed indecent photographs of a lady judicial officer on his phone. A committee was formed, but Justice Sharma allegedly interfered and leaked confidential proceedings. “Justice Sharma has made direct intervention in the enquiry proceedings, hampering the independence of the c o m m i t t e e. . . ” Justice Mehta wrote. He alleged Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma that the committee, comprising three female judges of the Rajasthan High Court, recorded the minutes and refused to proceed with the enquiry . Justice Mehta had earlier also written similar letters on August 2, 10 and 17 accusing Justice Shar ma Justice Sandeep Mehta of serious misconduct and of “maladministration, malpractices, nepotism and favouritism.” Justice Sharma, however, termed the allegations as baseless and proceeded on leave. Justice Mehta said he received several complaints on Sharma’s integrity . On August 31, the Supreme Court collegium had recommended Justice Sanjay K Agrawal as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. CM BANS LIQUOR SALE ON ASHTAMI, DJS IN DURGA PUJA CM Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced a set of rules for the upcoming Durga Puja. Liquor counters will remain closed on Ashtami and DJ systems will be banned during the period | P8