(Image source from: Moneycontrol.com)
Following the dismissal of rumors about a nationwide lockdown by Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took steps on Friday to put any doubts to rest. She reassured the public that there is no plan for a lockdown, even as worries about fuel supply rise. To ease people’s concerns, FM Sitharaman mentioned that the speculation about a lockdown and fuel shortages is not true. "I want to make it clear that there will not be a lockdown. I am astonished that some leaders are claiming there will be a lockdown and fuel shortages. These claims are without basis. It is troubling to hear such statements from political figures. There will not be a lockdown like what we experienced during Covid. I want to assure everyone that there will be no such lockdown as we had during Covid," she remarked. FM Sitharaman reiterated, "I want to reassure people that there shall not be any lockdown. "
"I am astonished that some leaders are claiming there will be a lockdown and there will be fuel shortages. These claims are false. It is concerning to hear such statements from those in politics. There will not be a lockdown like during Covid. I want to assure people that there will be no lockdown like the one we experienced during Covid. " Previously, Hardeep Singh Puri had made a similar statement, advising against panic. "Rumors about a lockdown in India are entirely incorrect. Let me make this clear, there is no proposal being considered by the Government of India. During such times, it is crucial for us to stay calm, responsible, and united. Spreading false rumors and causing panic in such situations is irresponsible and damaging," said Minister Puri. In addition to these reassurances, the government announced a cut in excise duties—reducing them to ₹3 per litre for petrol and zero for diesel—to help ease the burden on consumers from increasing global crude prices. FM Sitharaman explained that this step was taken to make sure that increases in international prices do not lead to higher costs for families.
"First and foremost, whenever there is a crisis worldwide that affects India. . . the Honorable Prime Minister wanted to keep consumer prices stable. For this reason, we have chosen to support Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). . . but the public rates should not go up," she stated. The finance minister shared that this decision came after an urgent meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Ram Navami. "Yesterday, on Ram Navami, the Honorable Prime Minister held an emergency meeting. . . and today we are announcing this decision," she explained. FM Sitharaman also highlighted that the policy is designed to avoid supply issues by assisting oil marketing companies that are dealing with higher import costs. "Prices are rising overseas. . . this situation should not happen. They need to keep purchasing. . . that’s why. . . there will be no shortage in supply," she stated.
The answer from the national government arrives as oil prices are unstable because of conflicts in West Asia and problems in the Strait of Hormuz, an important path for the world’s crude oil. India, which depends greatly on oil brought in from other countries, has acted to prevent both economic strain and worries among the public.
