New Delhi, March 27
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said there is no proposal to impose a lockdown in India in response to the West Asia war, urging politicians not to spread rumours or create panic among the public.
Replying to a discussion on the Finance Bill 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Sitharaman said the government was focused on maintaining fiscal discipline while shielding ordinary people from the impact of rising global crude oil prices.
She said India had kept petrol and diesel prices unchanged even as several countries had raised motor fuel prices by 20% to 50%.
Earlier in the day, the government cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre each in a move aimed at preventing oil marketing companies from passing on higher costs to consumers.
Sitharaman said the government would continue to follow a fiscally prudent approach in managing the economy despite global pressures.
“I think we will be following the same pattern,” she said, adding that the government would carefully manage its fiscal stance and seek greater mobilisation through non-tax revenues.
“We shall be on our toes,” the minister said.
She also dismissed speculation about restrictions linked to the conflict in West Asia, saying there was no plan under consideration for a nationwide lockdown.
Later, the Rajya Sabha returned the Finance Bill to the Lok Sabha by voice vote, completing the budgetary process for the next financial year, which begins on 1 April.
