The government on Monday clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal for restrained consumption during the ongoing West Asia crisis was intended to encourage responsible use of resources and should not lead to panic buying among citizens.

The clarification came a day after PM Modi urged people to adopt more self-reliant and economically responsible habits under the theme “Nation First, Duty Above Comfort”.

India Has Sufficient Fuel and Essential Supplies

The government assured citizens that India currently has adequate reserves of crude oil, petrol, diesel, and LPG. Officials stressed that there is no immediate shortage of fuel or essential commodities in the country.

Authorities appealed to people not to create panic in the market and said the Prime Minister’s message was aimed at encouraging careful and responsible consumption during a period of global uncertainty.

West Asia Conflict Raises Economic Concerns

The ongoing conflict involving Iran and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz have sharply increased global crude oil prices.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, and the disruption has placed additional pressure on import-dependent economies like India.

At the same time, the Indian rupee has weakened significantly against the US dollar, making imports more expensive and increasing concerns about foreign exchange reserves.

PM Modi Urged Citizens to Reduce Unnecessary Imports

According to the government, PM Modi’s appeal focused on reducing avoidable imports and conserving foreign exchange through small lifestyle and behavioural changes.

Among his seven key appeals, the Prime Minister encouraged people to reduce petrol and diesel consumption by using public transport, metro services, carpooling, and electric vehicles whenever possible.

He also promoted work-from-home practices to lower daily fuel usage and reduce traffic congestion.

PM Modi Asked People to Avoid Gold Purchases

The Prime Minister further appealed to citizens not to purchase gold for one year. He pointed out that India imports more than 90 per cent of its gold requirements, which puts pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

PM Modi also advised people to reduce edible oil consumption, prioritise Swadeshi and locally manufactured products, and avoid unnecessary foreign travel for a year.

According to the government, these measures could help India save valuable foreign exchange during difficult global conditions.

Farmers Encouraged to Shift Towards Natural Farming

PM Modi also urged farmers to reduce dependence on imported chemical fertilisers and move towards natural farming methods. The government said such measures would lower import dependency while also supporting sustainable agriculture.

PM Modi Calls for Collective Responsibility

Earlier, while addressing a BJP rally in Hyderabad, PM Modi said collective participation and responsible lifestyle choices could help India remain economically stable during global challenges.

According to him, small changes made by citizens could strengthen the country’s economy and help India emerge stronger from the ongoing global crisis.