Centre Dismisses Lockdown Rumours, Cuts Fuel Excise Duty to Stabilise Prices

The central government has denied fresh lockdown rumours, assuring normalcy while announcing a ₹10 excise duty cut on petrol and diesel to ease inflation and stabilise domestic fuel prices.

New Delhi | 29 March, 2026: The Union government has firmly denied widespread rumours suggesting the imposition of a fresh nationwide lockdown, clarifying that no such proposal is under consideration. Addressing growing public concern, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dismissed the speculation as baseless and urged citizens not to be misled by misinformation circulating on social media.

The rumours had gained momentum in recent days following references made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament regarding the COVID-19 period. His remarks were misinterpreted online, leading to widespread speculation about a possible return to lockdown measures. The situation was further fuelled by statements from Mamata Banerjee, which intensified public discourse and confusion.

Clarifying the government’s stance, Sitharaman stated that the current situation does not warrant any restrictive measures similar to those seen during the pandemic. She emphasized that the country is better prepared and that economic activities will continue without disruption. Echoing similar sentiments, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured that fuel supply chains remain stable and there is no cause for concern regarding availability.

In a parallel move aimed at providing relief amid rising inflation, the Centre announced a reduction of ₹10 per litre in excise duty on petrol and diesel. While the immediate impact on retail fuel prices may not be directly visible at petrol pumps, officials explained that the reduction would significantly ease the financial burden on oil marketing companies. This, in turn, is expected to prevent further price hikes, offering indirect relief to consumers.

Following the revision, excise duty on petrol has been reduced to ₹3 per litre, while diesel has effectively been brought down to zero. The government described the decision as a proactive measure to maintain price stability in the domestic market despite fluctuations in global crude oil rates.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi chaired a high-level virtual meeting with chief ministers of various states to review preparedness in light of evolving global developments, particularly tensions in West Asia. During the meeting, he stressed the importance of coordinated efforts between the Centre and states, invoking the spirit of “Team India” to collectively address emerging challenges.

The discussions focused on ensuring uninterrupted supply chains, maintaining essential services, and safeguarding economic stability. The Prime Minister highlighted that lessons learned during the pandemic have strengthened India’s crisis response mechanisms, enabling better coordination and resilience.

In addition to fuel-related measures, the government also announced steps to support industrial sectors. Labour-intensive industries such as steel, cement, and textiles are set to receive an additional 20 percent allocation of natural gas, raising supply levels to nearly 70 percent of their demand. This move is expected to provide much-needed relief to sectors grappling with rising input costs and global uncertainties.

Officials reiterated that there is no situation comparable to the COVID-19 crisis at present, urging the public to remain calm and rely only on verified information. The government’s dual approach-countering misinformation while introducing economic relief measures-aims to ensure stability and maintain public confidence during uncertain global conditions.

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