In what can be seen playing down the rumors across the country, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said there is no proposal to impose a lockdown in the country in the wake of the West Asia war. She asked politicians to refrain from rumour mongering and creating fear psychosis among the people.
The minister also said the government will remain on its "toes" to keep fiscal deficit under check while ensuring the burden of rising global crude oil prices does not fall on the common man.
Replying to a discussion on the Finance Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said that while several countries have increased motor fuel prices by 20-50 per cent, India has kept the rates of petrol and diesel unchanged.
Earlier in the day, the government reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 each to ensure oil marketing companies do not increase pump prices."I think we will be following the same pattern (fiscal prudence as in past). We will be able to keep the government fiscal stance carefully managed. Also, there will be efforts to have greater mobilisations through non-tax revenues...We shall be on our toes," Sitharaman said.
Later, the Rajya Sabha returned the Finance Bill to the Lok Sabha by voice vote, thus completing the budgetary exercise for the next fiscal year, starting April 1.
Earlier, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday clarified that rumours of a nationwide lockdown are entirely false, stating that no such proposal is currently under consideration by the government. The clarification aims to dispel public concerns and provide accurate information regarding any possibility of restrictions.
Taking to social media platform 'X', Puri said, "The global situation remains in flux, and we are closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis. Under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi 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."
"India has consistently demonstrated resilience in the face of global uncertainties, and we will continue to act in a timely, proactive, and coordinated manner," he said. He said rumours of a lockdown in India are completely false.
"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. Attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation are irresponsible and harmful," he said.
Puri's remarks come at a time when global oil and gas shortages have triggered speculation about a possible lockdown in India, with concerns also emerging over the supply situation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which has been described as 'worrisome'.
Earlier this week, the Indian government firmly rejected speculation about any nationwide lockdown, stating that there are no plans to impose restrictions on public movement or economic activity. Officials clarified that recent remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been widely misinterpreted.
Follow us
