Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday lauded the Centre’s decision to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre, calling it a crucial measure to shield Indian consumers from the impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. He also urged citizens to avoid panic buying and disregard rumours circulating on social media regarding fuel shortages or nationwide lockdowns.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that while neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh face severe fuel shortages, India has maintained stable supplies. “The Central government has ensured that the financial burden of escalating crude prices will not be transferred to the common citizen,” he said.

The Chief Minister emphasised that domestic refineries are operating at high capacity and that fuel stocks are sufficient for over 60 days. He warned against “rumour-mongers” on platforms such as WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter), urging people to rely only on verified information from authorities. Fadnavis noted that the excise duty cut also helps oil marketing companies (OMCs) absorb high import costs without raising retail prices.

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Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri echoed the message, clarifying that the government has no plans for a lockdown and highlighting the risks of spreading false information during times of global crisis. “The government had two choices: either increase prices drastically for citizens, as other nations have done, or bear the brunt on its finances so that the Indian citizen is insulated from international volatility. Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji chose to safeguard the citizen,” Puri said.

Fadnavis also addressed concerns over LPG availability, acknowledging temporary disruptions in the hospitality sector due to prioritised domestic supply. He reassured farmers that diesel and fertiliser allocations will be monitored closely to prevent hoarding or black marketing.

The excise duty cut is expected to provide immediate relief to consumers while stabilising the domestic fuel market amid rising international crude prices, demonstrating the government’s proactive measures to mitigate global energy shocks.

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