Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the people to cut down on petrol and diesel consumption amid supply disruptions due to the Middle East conflict.
India is one of few countries in the region that has not increased prices of petrol and diesel for domestic consumers or rationed supplies.
It has increased prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) – a primary cooking fuel in the country – after disruptions following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which led to Iran’s near-total blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
“We have to reduce our use of petrol and diesel. In cities with metro lines, we should try to travel by metro. If we must use a car, then we should try to car pool,” Modi said on Sunday, addressing a gathering in southern Telangana state.
He said restrictions on use were also necessary to save foreign currency spent on fuel imports.
“We must also place a strong emphasis on saving foreign exchange, as petrol and diesel have become so expensive globally.”
At the same time, Modi urged people to resume energy-saving schemes that were in place during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We should prioritise work from home, online conferences and virtual meetings again.”
Hardeep Singh Puri, the petroleum and natural gas minister, said oil marketing firms’ revenue had taken a hit while ensuring “uninterrupted energy imports and supply”.
Puri said on X on Sunday that losses for the government, after reducing taxes on diesel and petrol for domestic consumption, “saw revenue losses of 14,000 crore rupees (RM5.8mil) in a month”. — AFP
