No possibility of nationwide lockdown: Central Government

New Delhi: The central government on Friday categorically denied reports of a nationwide lockdown, clarifying that no such situation exists and is not being considered. The government termed these reports as "rumors" and urged people not to be misled.

Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, said at an inter-ministerial press conference that no decision has been taken to impose a lockdown. She emphasized that the country has sufficient crude oil reserves and the supply of petrol, diesel, and LPG is fully normal.

She explained that the long queues at petrol pumps in recent days were not due to any real shortage but due to rumors. Although the global price of crude oil has risen from around $70 per barrel to over $100, the fuel supply in the country is uninterrupted, and efforts are being made to keep prices stable.

The Ministry of External Affairs also said that the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region is being closely monitored. Indian missions are working 24 hours a day and providing all possible assistance to Indian citizens, students, and other stranded individuals. Travel arrangements are being made through alternative routes amid flight restrictions, while some exams have been postponed or canceled.

In this context, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randeep Jaiswal, said that India is in talks with its global partners. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar is visiting France to attend a meeting of 7 foreign ministers and met his counterparts from France, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, the UK, Germany, and Ukraine on the sidelines of the meeting.

According to Jaiswal, these meetings discussed bilateral relations as well as the situation in West Asia. At the first session of the G7 meeting, the Foreign Minister emphasized the need for reforms in global governance, reforms in the UN Security Council, making peacekeeping operations more effective, and strengthening supply chains on a humanitarian basis. He also raised the concerns of the Global South regarding energy, fertilizers, and food security. In the second session, he referred to the uncertain situation arising from the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and emphasized the need for strong trade corridors and supply chains.

According to the Ministry of Shipping, there have been no reports of any unpleasant incident involving Indian-flagged ships or sailors in the Gulf region. 540 Indian sailors deployed on 20 ships are safe. The DG Shipping Communication Center is working 24 hours a day and has so far responded to numerous calls and emails, ensuring the safe return of 25 sailors. There is no congestion or obstruction at any major or minor port in the country.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Vivek Chaturvedi, said that due to the crisis in West Asia, there has been a sharp increase in international crude oil and petroleum product prices. This situation may incentivize refineries to export, and to meet this, the government has imposed a special additional excise duty on the export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel and a road and infrastructure cess. The government reiterated that there is no shortage of essential commodities and fuel in the country and the situation is fully under control.