Rumours of a lockdown in India are completely false, Union Minister Hardeep Puri said on Friday, 27 March. Attempts to spread rumours and create panic amid the war in West Asia are irresponsible and harmful, the Minister clarified
“Let me state this clearly, there is no such proposal under consideration by the Government of India,” the minister said amid uncertainties due to the West Asia War.
“In such times, it is important that we remain calm, responsible, and united. Attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation are irresponsible and harmful,” Puri, the Union Minister of Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said.
Puri's clarification comes amid speculation on the internet about a possible ‘lockdown’ being announced in India amid the escalating conflict in West Asia. The speculation was triggered after Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled how India faced the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated global supply chain disruptions. The Prime Minister, however, did not mention anything about a lockdown.
Modi govt might impose lockdown: Sanjay Raut Even Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, given the concern, theModi government might impose a lockdown in order to conserve petrol and diesel
The global situation remains in flux, and we are closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities in real time, the Minister said.
“Under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi Ji, all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy, and other critical supplies for our citizens. We are fully prepared to handle emerging challenges,” he said, adding India has consistently demonstrated resilience in the face of global uncertainties, and we will continue to act in a timely, proactive, and coordinated manner.
PM Modi to interact with CMs today Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the chief ministers of states and Union Territories today, 27 March, to review preparedness and plans in the wake of the ongoing war in West Asia,news agencies said, citing government sources.
Chief Ministers of states and one UT going to polls will not attend the meeting, they said. The virtual meeting, likely scheduled for 6.30 PM, will assess the implications of the ongoing war in West Asia for India, particularly regarding LPG and oil supplies.
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The meeting is aimed at ensuring synergy of efforts in the spirit of 'Team India', the agencies said.
This is the first time that the prime minister will hold a meeting with the chief ministers on the West Asia war, which started on 28 February with the attack by the US-Israel on Iran. The Persian nation has also retaliated by firing on its Gulf neighbours and Israel.
The meeting comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia, which have disrupted critical maritime corridors and raised concerns about the safety of Indian nationals in Gulf nations.
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The conflict in West Asia has entered its fourth week, disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated following the killing of 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on 28 February.
In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets across several Gulf countries, causing further disruptions to the waterway and impacting international energy markets as well as global economic stability.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, "All retail outlets are operating normally across the country," even as there were reports of panic buying in some areas due to rumours.