Will a Lockdown Be Imposed in India? Union Minister Clarifies; Also Issues Statement on Excise Duty.

On Friday, the government dismissed rumors of a potential nationwide lockdown amidst the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Terming these rumors as completely false, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri stated that no such proposal is currently under consideration.

In a post on ‘X’, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri asserted that rumors regarding a lockdown in India are entirely baseless. “I wish to state categorically that the Government of India has no such proposal under consideration. Attempts to spread rumors and create panic in such a situation are irresponsible and detrimental,” he said.

Increased Burden on the Government

The government has shouldered a significant burden on its tax revenue to mitigate the heavy losses being incurred by oil companies—approximately ₹24 per liter on petrol and ₹30 per liter on diesel—during this period of skyrocketing international prices. Additionally, an export tax has been imposed, as the international prices of petrol and diesel have surged significantly.

Global Situation Remains Volatile

As the Israel-Iran conflict approaches its fifth week, Puri noted that the global situation remains volatile; consequently, the government is closely monitoring developments related to energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis.

He further stated that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy, and other essential commodities for the Indian public.

Crude Oil Prices Skyrocket

Over the past month, international crude oil prices have skyrocketed, surging from approximately $70 per barrel to nearly $122 per barrel. Consequently, petrol and diesel prices have risen for consumers across the globe. Prices have witnessed an increase of approximately 30–50% in Southeast Asian nations, 30% in North American countries, 20% in Europe, and 50% in African nations. The Modi government had two options: either to significantly raise prices for the citizens of India—as all other countries have done—or to bear the burden on its own fiscal position, so that Indian citizens could remain shielded from the volatility of the international market.