PM Modi flags ‘burden on country’s resources’ due to West Asia crisis, again urges people to save fuel, cut spending on imported products

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday flagged the “burden on country’s resources” due to the West Asia conflict as he again urged people to save fuel and reduce the use of foreign products in a bid to save forex amid “one of the biggest crises of this decade” after the Coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing a gathering in Vadodara, Gujarat, Modi reiterated his earlier appeal to revive Covid-era methods such as work from home, online classes, virtual meetings and reduced consumption of petrol and diesel.

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Stressing on the need for collective efforts to reduce imports and help the country navigate the crisis, the Prime Minister said, “There is a need for all of us to come together and fulfil our responsibility to reduce the burden on the country’s resources.”

He said that India spends lakhs of crores of rupees in foreign exchange to import many products from abroad and the crisis has led to a steep rise in imported goods and severely disrupted global supply chains.

“Just as every drop fills a pot, every small and big effort matters. We must reduce the use of products that come from abroad and avoid unnecessary dependence on imported goods in our daily lives, and also avoid such personal activities that involve spending foreign exchange,” he said.

He said that his government is working to ensure the impact of the crisis on Indians is minimal.

“If the COVID pandemic was the biggest crisis of this century, then the circumstances created by the war in West Asia are one of the major crises of this decade. When we together overcame the challenge of COVID, we will surely get through this crisis as well. The government is also continuously making efforts to ensure that its impact on the people of the country is minimal,” he said.

The PM said that until things return to normal, every small and meaningful step is needed to contribute to the nation’s interest.

“A major share of India’s imports comes from crude oil. Unfortunately, the very region that supplies oil to a large part of the world is currently caught in a situation of conflict and instability. Therefore, until conditions return to normal, all of us will have to take small yet meaningful resolutions in our daily lives for the larger interest of the nation,” he said.

He further repeated his appeal to cut down on petrol and diesel consumption by adopting public transport, electric buses, and carpooling.

“Those who have a car should take more people along in one vehicle. Digital technology has now made so many things easy that technology’s assistance will also be very beneficial for us. It is essential that priority be given to virtual meetings and work from home in both government and private offices…,” he said.

PM Modi also reiterated his appeal to avoid buying gold until the situation returns to normal.

“A huge amount of the country’s money also goes abroad on gold imports. Therefore, I would urge all of you, my fellow countrymen, to postpone the purchase of gold until the situation returns to normal. Today, the need of the hour is that we turn “Vocal for Local” into a people’s movement. Instead of foreign goods, adopt local products. Empower the entrepreneurs of your village, your city, your country,” he added.