New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said India will not see a Covid-era style lockdown again, calling recent claims by some leaders “baseless” and politically motivated.
In an interview to an English news channel, she said the country has sufficient petrol and diesel reserves, and urged against creating unnecessary fear. She added that speaking about lockdowns for political reasons was a matter of concern.
Sitharaman said the Centre’s decision to reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel is intended to protect people from rising costs of essential goods.
Earlier, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the excise duty cut was aimed at shielding consumers from surging global energy prices amid disruptions linked to the Iran–US–Israel conflict and issues around the Strait of Hormuz. He also stated that the government is not considering any lockdown plan.
In a statement, Puri said the global situation remains uncertain and is being closely monitored, while the government is working to ensure uninterrupted supply of fuel, energy and other essentials. He termed lockdown rumours “completely unfounded” and said timely, proactive and coordinated steps would continue as needed.
