Amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on Sunday evening to review fertiliser supplies for kharif crops and assess the potential impact on farmers across the country.
The US-Israel and Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz shipping route have severely disrupted the energy and other essential commodities’ supplies from the Gulf region.
In view of the prevailing situation, the CCS discussed alternate sources of fertilizers to ensure continued availability.
It noted that the measures taken by the government in the last few years to maintain adequate stocks of fertilizers will ensure timely availability and food security.
An assessment of the availability of critical needs of the common man, including food, energy and fuel security, was also made during the meeting.
It was also determined that adequate coal stocks at all power plants will ensure no shortage of electricity in India.
Moreover, several measures were discussed to diversify sources of imports required by chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and other industrial sectors.
Short, medium, and long-term measures to ensure continued availability of essential needs were also discussed in detail, with Prime Minister Modi directing all arms of government to work together to ensure least inconvenience to citizens.
PM Modi asked for proper coordination with state governments to ensure no black-marketing and hoarding of important commodities.
“All efforts must be made to safeguard citizens from the West Asia conflict,” he added.