Is India Heading For Lockdown 3.0 Amid Global Energy Crisis? Here's What Hardeep Singh Puri Just Said As Rumours Grow Stronger

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing LPG crisis triggered by the West Asia war, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Friday issued clarification regarding rumours of a Covid-style nationwide lockdown. Dubbing them 'completely false,' he stated that no such proposal is under consideration despite the deepening regional conflict.

"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," Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said in a post on X. 

He added, "Attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation are irresponsible and harmful."

Govt monitoring developments

As the Israel-Iran war is set to enter its fifth week, Puri noted that the global situation remains in flux, and the government is closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis.

Assuring that India has enough supplies, he added, “Under the leadership of Hon’ble PM, 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.”

Why the clarification?

Minister Puri's clarification follows mounting speculation of a lockdown triggered panic buying at several petrol pumps and a shortage in the supply of LPG cylinders, following the closure of the energy corridor Strait of Hormuz due to the prevailing conflict in the Middle East. 

He also said that India has shown "resilience in the face of global uncertainties" and will continue to act in the same way in the upcoming time.

What finance minister said?

Joining the chorus, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has dismissed reports that suggested the government could consider a lockdown like measure as fuel shortages loomed.

The Finance Minister called such reports baseless and said that there was no such move being considered.

"I want to reassure people that there shall not be any lockdown. I am surprised that some leaders are saying there will be a lockdown and there will be shortages of fuel. These are baseless. Such remarks coming from those in political domains are worrisome. There will be no lockdown such as we saw during Covid. I want to reassure people that there shall be no such lockdown as we saw in Covid," she said.

What govt has reiterated?

Amid energy crisis, the government during regular inter-ministerial briefings has consistently denied any fuel shortage, maintaining that a "National Energy Emergency" is unnecessary given India’s status as a net exporter of petroleum products.

To prevent localised fuel shortages caused by liquidity crunches, oil companies have also tripled the credit window for petrol pump owners from one day to three.

Furthermore, the Centre clarified that India's crude intake has actually increased; a surge in supply from over 41 global partners, particularly in the Western Hemisphere, has more than offset disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.