Lockdown In India? Work From Home To Fuel: List Of 14 Do's & Don'ts By PM Modi Amidst Energy Crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his latest speech, rolled out do's and don'ts at a time when energy prices are soaring, the dollar is high and inflation woes have escalated due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict. PM made 14 big appeals, which he linked to the restrictions and lifestyle changes during the Covid-19 era. This triggered widespread discussion of whether India is likely to face a new lockdown-like situation amidst the Middle Eastern conflict.

Here are the big appeals:

1. Reduce Usage Of Petrol & Diesel

In his latest speech in Hyderabad, PM Modi urged citizens to lower their petrol and diesel consumption. He said, "A big resolution is to use petrol and diesel sparingly. We must curb our use of petrol and diesel."

Responding to his speech, Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri said, "In times of global crisis, at the call of the nation's guardian, PM, we must take some resolutions by prioritizing our duties and fulfill them with complete dedication. So that the burden of the energy crisis does not fall on ordinary citizens in India, which depends on imports for 85%, the government itself has been bearing an economic pressure of lakhs of crores for the past 2 months."

Puri said, "Let us resolve to save fuel. Limit the use of petrol-diesel and make maximum use of public transport. If using a private vehicle is necessary, then carry more people along."

2. Avoid Buying Gold For At least 1 Year

Another key appeal from the PM was to temporarily halt the purchase of precious metal, gold. According to PM Modi, reducing nonessential gold buying could support cooling off pressure on foreign exchange reserves and imports. Hence, he said, avoid buying gold for at least 1 year.

3. Work From Home

The PM asked offices and corporations to re-introduce the Covid-era like working practices again. He said, this is in the 'national interest.'"

During his speech, PM Modi urged that work-from-home systems should be encouraged again. He said digital or virtual conferences could reduce the unnecessary need for physical meetings and further help lower the travel and fuel consumption.

He said, "We must prioritise work from home, online conferences, and virtual meetings again."

4. Begin Carpooling

To further reduce petrol and diesel consumption, PM Modi urged citizens to adopt carpooling. In his opinion, this will also reduce traffic congestion. In his opinion, this will also reduce traffic congestion.

5. Transition To Goods Transport Via Railways

PM Modi urged businesses and transportation to use railway systems for moving goods. This is another attempt to reduce heavy-loaded transport on road and eventually lower fuel consumption.

6. Prefer Electric Vehicles

As an alternative to fuel, PM Modi emphasized on maximizing the usage of electric vehicles. He promoted wider use of EVs, so that dependency on petrol and diesel could be minimized.

This move is just like LPG. Because after US-Israel-Iran war began, to tackle LPG supply crunch, government promoted alternatives like Kerosene, inductions, PNG and other methods for cooking gas in households.

7. Travel From Public Transportation

PM Modi guided that citizens living in cities with metro connectivity, should adopt more public transportations rather than using private vehicles. He encouraged using metros, public buses, local trains and other public transports.

8. Avoid Foreign Travelling Or Overseas Wedding Destinations

He said, "The growing culture of weddings abroad, travelling abroad, and vacationing abroad is becoming prevalent among the middle class. We must decide that during this time of crisis, we should postpone travelling abroad for at least a year."

Accordingly, PM Modi asked citizens to avoid unnecessary foreign trips, along with cutting down on weddings in overseas destinations and postpone vacations in foreign countries for a year.

9. Encourages For Domestic Tourism

Instead of foreign places, PM Modi urged citizens to enjoy their vacations or holidays in India.

10. Lower Usage Of Edible Oil

PM Modi also had a message for Indian households. He urged citizens to reduce the usage of edible oils as it will improve personal health and lower imports for the country.

11. Choose Made-In India Products

Among other key suggestions is that prioritize using Indian-based or manufactured products in day-to-day lives. PM Modi emphasized on buying Indian-made products like bags, shoes, accessories and everyday-use goods and services. The announcement is to drive domestic manufacturing sector.

12. Emphasize Living As Patriotism

PM Modi stated that patriotism during difficult times is a responsible behavior. He believes that citizens can lift the country by not just sacrifices but through everyday decisions and reduce economic pressure amidst such unprecedented global crisis.

13. Avoid Diesel-Powered Pumps In Farming

The Prime Minister also made significant announcement in agriculture sector and for farmers. He encouraged farmers and agriculture industries to switch to solar-powered pumps for irrigation and farming from diesel-powered pumps. This is another method to reduce dependency on fuel in agriculture sector.

14. Reduce Chemical Fertilizers By 50%

He lastly urged farmers to reduce usage of chemical fertilizers by 50% and adopt natural farming. As per him, this will protect health of the soil.

That being said, neither PM Modi nor the government has announced a new lockdown like those during the the COVID-19 era. His speech is simply related to how Indians can adopt, change and survive in the global energy crisis.