KD Desk
New Delhi, May 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged Indians to cut down fuel consumption, avoid purchasing gold for a year and revive work-from-home practices as concerns mount over rising global oil prices and supply chain disruptions triggered by escalating tensions in West Asia.
Addressing a public gathering in Hyderabad, Modi said the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and the wider West Asian region could severely impact global energy markets and foreign exchange reserves of import-dependent countries like India.
The Prime Minister said Indians must use petrol, diesel and gas “with great restraint” and stressed that imported petroleum products should be consumed only when necessary. He said conserving fuel would reduce the economic impact of global conflicts and help save valuable foreign exchange reserves.
Modi also appealed to citizens to reconsider non-essential gold purchases, particularly during weddings, saying India spends massive amounts of foreign exchange on gold imports every year. “In the national interest, we must resolve not to purchase gold for a year,” he said while addressing the gathering.
Calling work-from-home an effective fuel-saving measure, the Prime Minister suggested companies reintroduce remote working wherever possible to reduce daily commuting and fuel usage.
The remarks came as Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth nearly ₹9,400 crore in Telangana, including highway, railway and energy infrastructure projects. (India Today)
