'Need of the hour': PM Modi pitches WFH, saving fuel, delaying gold purchases amid fe
'Need of the hour': PM Modi pitches WFH, saving fuel, delaying gold purchases amid fears of energy crisis
M.U.H
11/05/202612
HYDERABAD: In the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, for the first time, spoke extensively about the need to conserve foreign exchange reserves by avoiding foreign travel and gold purchases for a year, to reduce fuel consumption by reviving Covid-era practices such as work from home, and urged people to use Swadeshi products as India attempts to tide over the crisis.
Addressing a public meeting at Parade Ground in Secunderabad, Modi said the conflict in West Asia had led to a sharp increase in petrol and fertiliser prices. “When there is pressure on the supply chain, difficulties increase despite various measures taken by the government to overcome the crisis. During such a global crisis, we must place the country above everything else and take certain collective resolutions,” he remarked.
Earlier in the day, while virtually inaugurating and laying foundation stone for projects worth around `9,400 crore for Telangana, the PM said, “The need of the hour is to use petrol, diesel, gas and other petro products with restraint. Imported petro products should be used only as per need. This will not only conserve foreign exchange reserves but also reduce the adverse impact of war.”
Urging people not to buy gold during special occasions for a year, Modi recalled that there was a time when people donated gold for the country. “We do not have to donate now, but we should at least resolve not to buy gold at functions for one year to conserve foreign exchange reserves,” he said.
The PM also appealed to people to reduce edible oil consumption. “I have been saying, reduce the use of cooking oil by 10%. This will not only help the nation during these times but also improve the health of your family,” he said.
Stressing the need to reduce petrol and diesel usage, Modi urged people living in cities with Metro rail facilities to use public transport. He also encouraged carpooling and greater use of electric vehicles. “Use Metros wherever they are available. Use carpooling to go to places, and use the Railways if you have to transport goods. All of this will reduce dependency on petrol and diesel, and thereby decrease pressure on foreign exchange reserves,” the prime minister said.
Referring to the Covid-19 period, Modi said practices such as work from home, virtual meetings and video conferencing should be revived to help reduce fuel consumption. “We developed work-from-home systems, virtual meetings and video conferencing during the Covid period and became habituated to them. The need of the hour is to resume those practices,” he said.
The PM also said foreign travel had become a trend among middle-class families and urged people to explore destinations within India instead. “In India, we have many places to see... We have to conserve foreign exchange reserves by every possible means,” he said.
Modi also advocated reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and encouraged organic farming. “If we reduce chemical fertiliser usage by even 20% to 50% and adopt organic farming, it will help,” he said.
Promoting “Vocal for Local”, the PM appealed to citizens to prefer indigenous products. “I am not asking people to throw away foreign goods, but not to buy them in future. This is not the duty of any political party alone. It is the responsibility of every citizen,” he said.
West Bengal done, TG next for BJP: PM
Modi also said India was once an exporter of copper but had now become an importer after copper plants were shut down. He said anything preventing India from becoming self-reliant should be avoided and appealed to courts to support the vision of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
On the political front, Modi expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in Telangana.
Referring to the saffron party’s recent electoral performance, Modi said, “Yesterday I was in West Bengal, where for the first time the BJP formed the government, and that enthusiasm is being reflected even in Telangana.
The NDA has formed the government in Puducherry for the second consecutive time and in Assam for the third consecutive time. The recent elections have shown that people are choosing trustworthy parties. Even in Telangana, people are saying ‘Ab ki baar, BJP Sarkar’.”
The prime minister claimed that the BJP, once ignored in several parts of the country, had now emerged as a trusted political force because of its welfare-oriented governance and commitment to development. He said the recent electoral victories of the BJP and NDA reflected people’s growing faith in “trustworthy politics” over corruption and false promises.
Criticising Congress governments in Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, Modi alleged that the party had failed to fulfil the guarantees promised during elections. “Congress has only one model — make false promises before elections and forget them after coming to power,” he said.
Highlighting the issue of Maoism, Modi said Telangana had suffered for years due to extremist violence but was gradually becoming free from the menace. He alleged that Congress was trying to protect Maoist ideology and claimed that Telangana police, if given complete freedom with support from the Centre, could eliminate Maoist activities. “Slowly Telangana is becoming free from Maoism. For that, a BJP government is necessary in the state. A BJP government will work with new thinking and commitment for a developed Telangana,” he said.
