Govt rejects lockdown rumours as fuel crisis triggers anxiety

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”. The rumours also surfaced around the anniversary of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, adding to public concern. Puri said the attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation were “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. Attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation are irresponsible and harmful,” Puri wrote on X.

The clarification comes amid growing concern over global energy disruptions and rising crude oil prices, which have triggered speculation about possible restrictions. The premature trending of Lockdown again in India suddenly started showing on the search engines and social media when Prime Minister Narendra Modi made comments that he was talking about a COVID like situation. The announcement that was made in one of the parliamentary addresses gave rise to the speculation of possible restrictions. Officials said recent remarks by PM Modi on “preparedness” had been misinterpreted, leading to speculation about a possible lockdown. They clarified that the comments referred to administrative readiness in view of global uncertainties, not restrictions on movement or economic activity.

Earlier replying to a discussion on the Finance Bill, 2026, in the Rajya Sabha, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said there is no proposal to impose a lockdown in the country in the wake of the West Asia war, and asked politicians to refrain from rumour mongering and creating fear psychosis among the people. The minister also said the Government will remain on its “toes” to keep fiscal deficit under check while ensuring the burden of rising global crude oil prices does not fall on the common man. She said that while several countries have increased motor fuel prices by 20-50 per cent, India has kept the rates of petrol and diesel unchanged.

“I think we will be following the same pattern (fiscal prudence as in past). We will be able to keep the Government fiscal stance carefully managed. Also, there will be efforts to have greater mobilisations through non-tax revenues...We shall be on our toes,” Sitharaman said.

While campaigning for TMC candidate Narendranath Chakraborty in the Pandaveswar Assembly seat in Paschim Bardhaman district, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday raised concerns about a possible lockdown in the country. She said such a move would not stop her or her party from taking on the BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Crude oil prices have risen over the past month, from around Rs 70 per barrel to nearly Rs 122 per barrel, leading to fuel price increases of 20 per cent to 50 per cent in several regions, including Europe, North America, Southeast Asia and Africa.

To address supply concerns, the Government has imposed export duties on petroleum products. Diesel exports will attract a duty of Rs 21.5 per litre, while aviation turbine fuel (ATF) exports will be taxed at Rs 29.5 per litre.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a reduction in central excise duty by Rs 10 per litre on petrol and diesel meant for domestic consumption on Friday. Excise duty on petrol has been reduced to Rs 3 per litre, while diesel now carries nil excise duty.

Globally, several Asian countries are considering measures to deal with fuel shortages. South Korea has launched a campaign to reduce energy consumption and is weighing work from home options.

Pakistan has shut schools temporarily and advised remote work, while Sri Lanka has declared a weekly public holiday to conserve fuel.