Excise Duty Cut on Petrol & Diesel: Amidst the ongoing tension in the Middle East, the Indian Government has taken a big relief step by reducing the excise duty on petrol and diesel. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman welcomed this decision and said that this will help in reducing the burden of rising inflation on the general public.
The government has reduced the customs duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre. After this, the excise duty on petrol has reduced to around Rs 3, while on diesel it has been reduced to zero. This decision has been taken at a time when global energy prices are witnessing a huge surge due to the ongoing tension in the Middle East and supply disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
Protecting consumer interests
The Union Finance Minister said that this step shows the government’s commitment to protect the interests of consumers. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that the government has tried to secure the fuel supply by taking necessary decisions in time. Putting an end to the rumors spreading amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East, Nirmala Sitharaman has made it clear that there is no plan to impose any kind of lockdown in the country due to fuel shortage.
In view of the West Asia crisis, the central excise duty on petrol and diesel for domestic consumption has been reduced by ₹10 per liter each. This will provide protection to consumers from rise in prices. Hon. PM @narendramodi has always ensured that citizens are protected from…
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 27, 2026
He completely rejected the news which claimed that the government was considering strict measures like lockdown due to the energy crisis. The Finance Minister said that all these reports are baseless and misleading the public. Sitharaman assured that the government is keeping a close eye on the situation and there is no need to panic about fuel supply in the country. He also clarified that “no lockdown will be imposed.”
Along with this, he expressed surprise at the lockdown related statements being given by some leaders and termed such statements as irresponsible. He said that such comments spread unnecessary fear and in the current circumstances it is extremely worrying.
Puri said – decision taken on time
At the same time, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also called this decision a “bold step taken at the right time”. He says that amidst global uncertainty, this decision will provide relief to the common people as well as help in keeping the economy stable.
Overall, this move comes at a time when fluctuations in crude oil prices and fears of war have put pressure on the entire world economy, and the Indian government is continuously taking proactive steps to reduce this impact.
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