Shares of city gas distributors jumped by up to 6% on Wednesday after the government approved an incentive scheme to promote domestic PNG connections, which it called a major initiative to bring clean, safe and affordable piped cooking gas to households across the country.

Mahanagar Gas (MGL) shares jumped nearly 6% to trade at Rs 1,173 apiece on Wednesday morning, while those of Indraprastha Gas (IGL) and Adani Total Gas jumped over 5% each despite an overall muted market sentiment.

New scheme for promotion of domestic PNG connections

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on Tuesday announced that the scheme, which will take effect from September 1 onwards, is designed to fast-track the expansion of active PNG connections ensuring that more families can start using piped natural gas in their kitchens at the earliest.

Under the scheme, the eligible city gas distribution (CGD) entities will be allocated an additional 200 SCM of domestically-produced, lower-priced (APM) gas for every incremental billed domestic PNG connection achieved during the period, over and above the threshold Level determined for the respective geographical area.

The new scheme will be implemented over two trachea spanning six months, and the additional gas allocation will substitute the costlier LNG that CGD entities currently procure for their CNG segment, thereby lowering their overall gas-sourcing costs, the government said in its press release.

Also read | Government offers cheaper domestic gas to city gas distributors to boost PNG connections

How will city gas distributors benefit?

The Ministry added that the subsequent cost savings are expected to shorten the payback period for capital expenditure incurred on D-PNG connections from around 10 years to approximately 3 years, which in turn would give CGD entities a strong financial incentive to expand household PNG connectivity more rapidly, bringing the benefits of clean, safe and affordable piped cooking gas to a larger number of Indian households in the months ahead.At present, there are 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections across the country, according to the government, which said that the new scheme directly incentivises the city gas distribution (CGD) companies to actively convert unbilled connections into working gas connections, and expand the PNG network to new areas.

In its press release, the government highlighted that PNG offers households a safer, cleaner and more convenient alternative to LPG cylinders and traditional cooking fuels. “This Scheme builds on a series of steps the Government has taken over the past few months to accelerate PNG expansion and make the transition to clean cooking fuel easier for households,” it added.

Also read | Mahanagar Gas eyes 1 million new PNG connections in FY27, capex raised

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

Desks, computers, meetings are not the only features of the modern workplace. With large time commitments at work, there is an increasing interest in designing spaces that are comfortable, focused, relaxing and in turn help people to adopt healthier, more sustainable daily habits. This transition has paved the way for companies and individuals to discover products that promote health and are suitable for the workplace.

One of these new choices are plant-based aromatherapy and tiny micro diffusers. The products are formulated with botanical ingredients and today’s technology to provide a modern solution to personal wellness without tobacco or nicotine.

Bringing Botanical Wellness Into Everyday Life

Botanical wellness is about using plants and their experiences as tools for wellbeing in your life. Perhaps one of the plants that has been gaining traction in this column is mullein, a plant with a long tradition of use in herbal remedies.

In today’s modern times, botanical concepts are being brought into more convenient formats of modern wellness products. A mullein inhaler can be incorporated into an individual’s natural healing regimen, and used in a small volume to try a new way of using botanicals for aromatherapy.

Focusing on the sensory and lifestyle benefits of botanical wellness, and avoiding any claims that a product may diagnose, prevent or treat a medical condition.

The Role of Micro-Diffuser Technology

More and more, technology is becoming an integral part of personal wellness. For those who like to use botanicals without a fuss or prefer to have short and compact devices, adding botanicals to their busy lives may be easier.

Smart micro-diffusers can integrate botanical products with the latest hardware technology, including LED indicators, compact design and easy controls. These features can help integrate a wellness device into a modern world.

A well-designed device can seamlessly fit into a professional routine when the time is right for them, and they’re not able to engage in other activities.A well-designed device can fit into a professional routine naturally when the time is right for them, during appropriate breaks, quiet moments, or after-work relaxation time.

Exploring Botanical Mullein Products

Consumers are increasingly interested in plant wellness and are also seeking to know what is in the products, and how they are being used. One contemporary way for mullein lovers to use a botanical lifestyle is through a botanical mullein extract inhaler.

Transparency is important in this category. Consumers need to check ingredient information, manufacturer’s directions and recommendations on how to use a product before using one for the first time. While botanical may sound safe, it is not necessarily safe and can have differing effects on different people.

Personal wellness products should be used responsibly and according to company policy in the workplace.

Supporting a Balanced Workplace Routine

Productivity is not everything when it comes to having an energizing work environment. Taking breaks, staying hydrated, moving throughout the day, stress reduction, and getting sufficient sleep would all contribute to having a better balanced lifestyle.

The use of botanics in aromatherapy can also be added to these practices to give a unique experience of a personal routine. For example, an employee could get away from the computer screen, breathe deeply, stretch, and smell a botanical essence.

This kind of ritual can be used for a nice transition between working times and resting times.

A Strict Zero-Tobacco Approach

Communication is particularly critical for products to be inhaled. Micro-diffusers that use plants should be separated from tobacco and nicotine products.

In a true zero-tobacco setting, the focus remains on botanical aromatherapy, herbal extracts, personal wellness and on the effective technology of micro-diffusers. It does not link botanical wellness products to smoking, tobacco or nicotine.

This distinction can also help consumers to understand that today’s botanical wellness hardware is a different category and should be assessed accordingly to its ingredients, intended use, and manufacturer’s instructions.

Clean Living in the Modern Workplace

Clean living is becoming more of an awareness of good choices in various aspects of daily life. Simple actions can make a difference, from eating well, to making your work area comfortable and setting up a daily relaxation plan.

In aromatherapy, this lifestyle can include plant-based aromatherapy and the use of smart micro-diffusers. What they can be most useful for is helping others bring about intentional pauses rather than giving quick fixes.

It is important to read the ingredients and directions for use in inhaled botanical products before using them. Allergic and sensitive individuals, and those with respiratory health issues, should seek advice from trained health professionals before using such products.

Looking Toward the Future of Workplace Wellness

The mix of botanicals and clever hardware speaks to a trend of personalized wellness tech. With consumers looking for efficient and effective ways to weave plant-based experiences into their daily lives, micro-diffuser products could be more prevalent in today’s wellness world.

In the end, workplace vitality is a result of sustainable habits, healthy boundaries, movement, rest and mindful routines. Responsible and properly presented with accurate and transparent information, botanical aromatherapy can support that effective approach.

Modern wellness products can bring a new, truly zero-tobacco, way to clean living by using natural botanical principles in the context of modern micro-diffuser technology that can be seamlessly integrated into the daily life.

Wayne Pickup
MD, CEO & Director

Good morning, and thank you for joining today’s call on The Lottery Corporation’s FY 2026 Financial Results. I am Wayne Pickup, the company’s MD and CEO, and I am joined by our CFO, Adam Newman. We will walk through the investor presentation lodged with the ASX this morning, then open the line for questions. Since I joined The Lottery Corporation 9 months ago now, you may have heard me say that it operates from a position of strength with a privileged market position and strong fundamentals. But while that is true, we need to position the business for the next chapter of growth to evolve from being a lottery operator to a digitally-led entertainment platform. To achieve that, we have refreshed the strategy and implemented a new operating model. New teams are in place, and we are moving at pace to execute.

We are preserving what has been successful over many, many years, but modernizing it for how Australians want to play and engage today as customers move online and demand more. That creates a clear opportunity, underpinned by a simple vision, to be the place where Australia comes to play. Looking back on the first year, 3 things stand

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More than 600 bags of frozen dog food are facing a recall after FDA testing prompted by a consumer complaint found salmonella contamination.

Connecticut-based Oma’s Pride issued a recall for one lot of Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe, the company announced on Monday.

A total of 639 bags are affected by the recall effort. The impacted products have a manufacturing date of Jan 27, 2026, and a best-by date of Jan. 27, 2029. The recalled product is a raw dog food sold in a six-pound gusseted stand-up pouch containing 12 individually-wrapped, eight-ounce vacuum-sealed portions.

The recalled lot of dog food was distributed to retailers and wholesalers in 11 states: Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as directly to consumers through online orders. The products were distributed between Feb. 12 and May 15 of this year.

RECALL ISSUED FOR DOG AND HORSE MEDICATION AFTER GLASS FIBER FOUND IN VIALS

Oma’s Pride ships its products to consumers across 48 states, with the exception of Alaska and Hawaii.

The recall was initiated after the FDA received a consumer complaint. The agency then collected and analyzed a sample of the product, which tested positive for salmonella.

Oma’s Pride said it is continuing an investigation to determine the source and root cause of the contamination.

Three illnesses in dogs have been reported in connection with the dog food. No human illnesses have been reported.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the dog food, the company said, adding that there is risk to people from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after touching the food or any surfaces exposed to it.

Pets with salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or people.

Owners with pets who have consumed the recalled product and are showing these symptoms are urged to contact a veterinarian.

Healthy people infected with salmonella are advised to monitor themselves for symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Salmonella can cause additional ailments such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms.

People showing these signs after having contact with the recalled dog food should contact a healthcare provider.

POPULAR PET FOOD RECALLED OVER POSSIBLE SHARP METAL AND PLASTIC CONTAMINATION

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Consumers who purchased the affected dog food are instructed to stop feeding it to their pets immediately, safely dispose of it and contact Oma’s Pride for a refund.

They should also wash and sanitize pet food bowls, cups and storage containers.

“Oma’s Pride is conducting further investigation to better understand this finding,” the company said. “The health and safety of pets and the people who care for them is our highest priority. We are proud of the food we make, and we remain committed to producing high-quality, biologically appropriate pet food. We will continue to update our customers as more information becomes available.”