New Delhi, Mar 27: The Centre on Friday firmly dismissed rumours of a nationwide lockdown, asserting that no such proposal is under consideration, even as global concerns rise due to the ongoing West Asia conflict impacting energy supplies and supply chains.
Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Nirmala Sitharaman categorically rejected speculation about restrictions, reassuring citizens that the government is fully prepared to handle emerging challenges without resorting to measures like those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Rumours of a lockdown in India are completely false. There is no such proposal under consideration by the Government of India,” Puri said, adding that attempts to spread panic in such situations are “irresponsible and harmful.”
He said the government is closely monitoring developments in energy markets, supply chains and essential commodities in real time, and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel, LPG and other critical supplies. “We are fully prepared to handle emerging challenges,” he added.
Backing the assurance, Sitharaman said, “There shall not be any lockdown. These are baseless… There will be no lockdown such as we saw during Covid,” cautioning against statements that may create unnecessary alarm among the public.
The clarification comes amid heightened global uncertainty triggered by the West Asia crisis, which has led to disruptions in oil and gas supplies and concerns over key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for global energy trade.
Officials said India remains resilient and is adopting a proactive and coordinated approach to manage potential disruptions. The government emphasised that references to “COVID-like preparedness” relate only to administrative readiness and contingency planning, and not to any form of mobility restrictions or shutdown.
To shield consumers from rising crude oil prices, the Centre has also implemented excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel, aiming to ease the economic burden amid the global energy crisis.
The government further urged citizens to remain calm, responsible and avoid spreading misinformation, noting that recent rumours were fuelled by misinterpretation of official statements and coincided with the anniversary of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown.
Reiterating its commitment to stability, the government said it will continue to act in a timely and coordinated manner to safeguard essential supplies and maintain normalcy across the country.
