New Delhi: Amid the global energy crisis triggered by the ongoing Israel-US war against Iran and growing concerns among citizens, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri sought to allay fears and said that the lockdown rumours in India are “completely false” and that the government was “not considering” any such move.
The ongoing West Asia crisis has sent the global gas and oil prices soaring. Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against spreading rumours amid the crisis, rumours about a COVID-like lockdown were spread on social media.
Shrugging off the rumours, Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said all the lockdown rumours are false.
“The global situation remains in flux, and we are closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis,” he said in a post on X.
Puri further asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi all necessary steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy, and other critical supplies for our citizens. He said the government is 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 added.
He said attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation are irresponsible and harmful. “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.,” Puri said.
On Thursday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed apprehension of a possible lockdown in the country.
“They might impose a lockdown. They will keep people confined to their homes. I fought through the lockdown situation in 2021. I can fight in any given situation,” the TMC supremo said, referring to the 2021 Assembly election in the state that was held during the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.