Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri called the attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation “irresponsible and harmful”. File
| Photo Credit: X/@HardeepSPuri via PTI
Amid speculation regarding lockdown rumours in India due to the West Asia crisis, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri dismissed the claims, stating that there is “no proposal under consideration by the Government of India”.
Also read: West Asia war updates on March 27, 2026
Mr. Puri said the attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation were “irresponsible and harmful”.
Taking it to X, Mr. Puri wrote, “The global situation remains in flux, and we are closely monitoring developments across energy, supply chains, and essential commodities on a real-time basis. India has consistently demonstrated resilience in the face of global uncertainties, and we will continue to act in a timely, proactive, and coordinated manner.”
The Minister also said all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy and other critical supplies. “We are fully prepared to handle emerging challenges,” he said.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also dismissed reports that suggested the government could consider a lockdown-like measure as fuel shortages loomed.
“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.
The Finance Minister said the main aim of pushing excise duty cuts for petrol and diesel was to insulate consumers from the rising price of crude oil due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
The reduction comes amid a global energy crisis due to the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and the consequent Tehran-imposed blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s crude oil and gas supply, between 20 and 25 million barrels per day, is shipped.
(With ANI inputs)
Published – March 27, 2026 02:03 pm IST
