Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday voiced strong support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to conserve fuel, avoid unnecessary spending and adopt responsible consumption habits amid the continuing global economic uncertainty linked to the West Asia conflict.
Responding to the Prime Minister’s message, Fadnavis said the current international situation should be taken seriously as many countries are already facing severe economic pressure, supply disruptions and rising fuel prices.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister stated that people across several parts of the world are dealing with shortages of essential commodities and difficulties linked to the rising cost of energy, adding that India must act cautiously to minimise the impact of global instability.
Speaking on the issue, Fadnavis said responsible behaviour during difficult times should not become a subject of political criticism.
“If the opposition does not want to implement these measures, then at least they should not make fun of them,” he remarked while addressing reporters.
The Chief Minister said every citizen has a duty to contribute towards national stability during periods of economic uncertainty and confirmed that the Maharashtra government is also preparing steps in line with the Prime Minister’s appeal.
“I believe it is the responsibility of every person to try and implement these measures in their own way. The Maharashtra government should also try to implement these measures in its own way,” Fadnavis said.
He further revealed that he had already convened a meeting to discuss how the state administration can support fuel conservation and other austerity-related initiatives.
According to Fadnavis, Maharashtra would work in accordance with the broader national message delivered by Modi regarding economic resilience and resource conservation.
The Prime Minister had earlier appealed to citizens to reduce unnecessary petrol and diesel usage, rely more on public transport, avoid non-essential purchases and limit overseas travel in order to reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves and fuel imports.
While addressing a gathering in Secunderabad earlier this week, Modi said patriotism during challenging global conditions also means behaving responsibly in daily life and supporting the country through practical actions.
