Government rubbishes lockdown rumours amid panic buying at petrol pumps over Iran war

Union Minister Hardeep Puri on Friday clarified that the central government is not considering any plan to impose a nationwide lockdown like at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In Short

• Hardeep Puri denies rumours of nationwide lockdown in India
• No proposal for lockdown amid Middle East crisis, says minister
• Government urges public to stay calm and united

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Puri, on Friday clarified that the rumours of a Covid-19-like nationwide lockdown are completely false as the central government is not considering any such move amid the deepening Middle East crisis.

"Rumours 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," he wrote on X.

The rumours of a possible nationwide lockdown arose amid panic buying at several petrol pumps and a shortage in the supply of LPG cylinders, following the closure of the energy corridor Strait of Hormuz due to the prevailing conflict in the Middle East. However, Puri affirmed that India's energy position is secure as the central government is leaving no stone unturned to keep the supply of energy and fuel intact.

"Under the leadership of Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji, all necessary steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy, and other critical supplies for our citizens. We are fully prepared to handle emerging challenges," he further mentioned in the post.

He also said that India has shown "resilience in the face of global uncertainties" and will continue to act in the same way in the upcoming time.

Puri's assurance over the energy situation came a few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on the prevailing West Asia war. Modi said that citizens do not need to fear as the government is trying to procure gas and crude oil from all available sources, and efforts will continue in the upcoming days.

He also mentioned that the country's oil position is secure, as the central government created 53 lakh metric tons of oil reserves in the last 11 years. He also informed that an additional 65 lakh metric tons of strategic oil reserves will be created in future.

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