Bengaluru, May 11 (PTI) JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda on Sunday said PM Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel savings and foreign exchange conservation amid the impact of the West Asia conflict should be welcomed.

The former PM said Modi had advised caution in consumption amid the global crisis triggered by the conflict.

“The PM gave some suggestions in Telangana yesterday. Due to the adverse impact of the conflict between Iran and the US-Israel, there has been a disruption in the movement of vessels carrying fuel. In this backdrop, Modi has advised caution in consumption,” Gowda said.

Speaking to reporters, he said the PM’s appeal was addressed to about 150 crore people of India.

“The appeal is not for any other reason. It is because of the impact of the conflict at the international level. We must welcome it,” he added.

Emphasising that the Centre is trying to shield people from the adverse impact of the West Asia conflict, Modi on Sunday in Hyderabad called for judicious use of fuel, postponement of gold purchases, and reduced foreign travel, among other measures, to strengthen the economy.

Addressing a rally organised by the Telangana BJP, he suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increasing the use of electric vehicles (EVs), utilising railway services for parcel movement, and working from home to conserve foreign exchange amid the crisis in West Asia.

Stressing the need to save foreign exchange due to the crisis, Modi called for postponing gold purchases and foreign travel for one year.

Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje said the PM’s appeal is in the interest of the country and aimed at conserving foreign exchange reserves amid the West Asia conflict.

“The PM, over the last two years, has been talking about reducing consumption of edible oil because we are not self-reliant in it. We import 70 per cent of edible oil from outside. Reducing it will help us save foreign exchange and is also beneficial for health,” she told reporters.

The country is not self-reliant in petroleum products and fertilisers, she added, saying their judicious use would help conserve foreign exchange reserves. PTI KSU SSK

Foreign exchange conservation drives fuel savings, reduced travel and restrained consumption amid West Asia conflict pressures. Calls for judicious use of fuel and foreign exchange conservation in response to the West Asia conflict emphasise reduced petrol and diesel consumption, greater use of metro rail, carpooling, electric vehicles, railway parcel services and work from home. The appeal also includes postponing gold purchases and foreign travel for one year as measures to ease pressure on the economy and preserve foreign exchange reserves amid disruptions to fuel transport and other global supply effects.