Heed PM’s advice on using fuel with restraint: CM Fadnavis

Nagpur: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said that India could face fuel shortages if citizens do not heed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to use oil and gas with restraint, citing disruptions to global supply triggered by the West Asia conflict."Oil and gas consumption must be understood in the context of the country's situation. Across the world, due to the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, a shortage of oil and gas has emerged. In many foreign countries, there is severe scarcity and prices have risen sharply. Today itself, we saw that in Pakistan the price has reached around Rs450 per litre," Fadnavis said.The CM was responding to a media query about PM Modi's statement in Hyderabad about fuel supply. Modi urged Indians to use petrol, diesel and gas with "great restraint." Modi said reduced fuel consumption would save foreign exchange and limit the economic impact of the war on India. The PM also highlighted India's push towards solar power, ethanol blending and CNG expansion as measures to strengthen energy security."Despite this, our Prime Minister has ensured that supplies are not affected. We are still getting oil and gas. But if we do not understand this difficulty and do not use these resources properly, then we too may have to face shortages," Fadnavis added.The appeal comes amid the Strait of Hormuz blockade, which has choked off crucial global fuel supplies and pushed prices sharply higher in several countries.Fadnavis urged citizens to act on the PM's appeal. "All citizens should follow what the Prime Minister has said," he said.