Source The Hindu
NEW DELHI — In a firm move to quell rising public anxiety, the Union Government on Friday dismissed widespread rumors of an impending nationwide lockdown as “completely false” and “baseless.” Senior Union Ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, clarified that there is no proposal under consideration to restrict movement or shut down economic activities.
The rumors, which gained traction on social media over the last 48 hours, suggested that the government might impose a “COVID-style” lockdown to manage fuel shortages and supply chain disruptions caused by the escalating conflict in West Asia.
“No Proposal Under Consideration”
Addressing the public via social media and official briefings, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri categorically rejected the speculation.
“Rumors of a lockdown in India are completely false. Let me state this clearly: there is no such proposal under consideration by the Government of India. In such times, it is important that we remain calm, responsible, and united,” Puri stated.
He further noted that the government is monitoring global energy markets and essential commodity supply chains in real-time to ensure stability.
Finance Minister Assures Economic Continuity
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman echoed these sentiments, expressing concern over the “irresponsible” spread of misinformation. She emphasized that the current geopolitical challenges are being managed through fiscal and administrative measures rather than public restrictions.
Excise Duty Cuts: To shield citizens from rising global crude prices, the government announced a significant reduction in excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre each.
Domestic Priority: New export duties have been imposed on diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to ensure that domestic availability remains the top priority.
No Comparison to 2020: The Finance Minister clarified that while the Prime Minister recently referenced the spirit of unity seen during the pandemic, it was meant as a call for national resilience, not a precursor to movement bans.
The Root of the Rumors
The panic appears to have been triggered by a combination of factors:
Geopolitical Tensions: The ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—a critical corridor for 20-25% of the world’s oil—led to fears of an “energy emergency.”
March 24th Anniversary: The rumors intensified on the sixth anniversary of the 2020 lockdown announcement, a date that remains sensitive for many.
Panic Buying: Reports of long queues at petrol pumps in certain regions further fueled the narrative of an imminent shutdown.
Current Status: Secure Supply
Government officials have reassured the nation that India’s energy position is secure. Domestic oil companies have already secured crude oil supplies for the next 60 days, and retail outlets across the country are operating normally.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has urged citizens not to engage in panic buying, stating that “all retail outlets are operating normally” and that administrative steps are being taken to increase credit for petrol pump owners to maintain steady stocks.
