Pioneer in short
Nitin Nabin delays Assembly resignation
Bihar Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar was caught off guard Sunday when BJP MLA Nitin Nabin, recently elected to the Rajya Sabha, could not resign from his assembly seat in person due to an “emergency.” Nabin, representing Bankipur, was scheduled to meet the Speaker in Patna to vacate his seat within the 14-day deadline but left for poll-bound Assam instead, sources said. Prem Kumar, who had been in Delhi attending a function at Bharat Mandapam, returned to Patna after being informed by State BJP chief Sanjay Saraogi. “Apparently, there was an emergency that led the national president to leave,” the Speaker told reporters. When asked about virtual resignations, he noted that physical presence is required under current rules. Asked whether Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, also elected to the Rajya Sabha, would resign Monday, Prem Kumar said the CM is a Legislative Council member and advised approaching the CM’s or Council secretariat for updates. The Speaker added he would return to Delhi later in the evening after attending the function and would continue monitoring the developments closely to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements.
DMK releases manifesto for TN
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Sunday unveiled his party’s manifesto for the April 23 Assembly elections, highlighting the new “Illatharasi” coupon scheme for women. Under the initiative, women from non-income-tax-paying families will receive a one-time INR8,000 coupon to buy or replace household electronics such as TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, mixies, or induction stoves. Stalin described the DMK’s poll promises as a “superstar,” emphasizing welfare measures across education, farming, industry, and social sectors. Key pledges include expanding the CM Health Insurance coverage to INR10 lakh, raising pensions for elderly, widows, and spinsters above 50 to INR2,000 per month among other promises.
Indian LPG ships cross Strait of hormuz
Two more Indian-flagged LPG tankers, carrying nearly a day’s supply of cooking gas, have safely navigated the war-hit Strait of Hormuz and are expected to reach India shortly. BW TYR, with 94,000 tonnes of LPG, is bound for Mumbai, arriving March 31, while BW ELM heads to New Mangalore, expected April 1, officials said. Shipping through the strait has been severely disrupted following US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes. Iran has permitted transit of “non-hostile vessels” after coordination. Earlier, four Indian tankers carrying over 185,000 tonnes of LPG had safely reached Indian ports, easing the country’s worst LPG shortage in decades. India relies on Gulf imports for about 60% of its 33.15 million tonnes annual LPG consumption. Currently, 18 Indian-flagged vessels with 485 seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf. Six LPG tankers and other oil and gasoline carriers have safely sailed in recent weeks. DG Shipping operates round-the-clock, having facilitated the safe repatriation of over 942 Indian seafarers. Port operations across India remain smooth, with no congestion reported.
