PM Modi Meeting LIVE Updates: PM calls for ‘quick response to evolving situations’, says govt's priorities are…

“Prime Minister stated that efforts undertaken in recent years to strengthen India’s economic and supply systems are proving beneficial in the current context. He called for continued engagement with industry and MSMEs to address their concerns and ensure stability in production and employment. He also emphasised the need for robust coordination mechanisms at all levels, including regular reviews at the level of Chief Secretaries and continuous monitoring at the district level, to enable quick response to evolving situations,” the government statement read.

The official statement read: “Chief Ministers across states expressed confidence that the situation remains stable, with adequate availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG, and continuous monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities. They widely welcomed the decision to reduce excise duty on fuel, noting that it will provide significant relief to citizens amid global uncertainties. Chief Ministers also welcomed the decision to increase commercial LPG allocation to states and union territories to 70% of pre-crisis levels, up from 50%. They reaffirmed commitment to work in close coordination with the Centre to effectively manage the evolving situation and safeguard the interests of citizens.”

The prime minister said during the meeting that India has prior experience in dealing with similar global disruption, a government statement said. PM Modi also recalled the collective response during the COVID-19 pandemic six years ago, when the Centre and states worked together as “Team India” to mitigate the impact on supply chains, trade, and daily life, the statement said.

At the meeting with CMs, PM Modi stressed that Government’s priorities are to maintain economic and trade stability, ensure energy security, safeguard the interests of citizens, and strengthen industry and supply chains.

Accoridng to ANI, he also “emphasised the need for robust coordination mechanisms at all levels to enable quick response to evolving situations.”

During the meeting, PM urged states to ensure smooth functioning of supply chains and take strict measures against hoarding and profiteering, sources told ANI.

The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations called on Friday for an immediate stop to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Iran war.

In a joint statement agreed on the second day of a G7 meeting in France - this year's host country - the ministers said they had underscored the importance of minimising the impact of the conflict on regional partners, civilian populations and critical infrastructure.

On the government slashing excise duty on petrol & diesel, Haryana Minister Anil Vij says, "PM always takes care of the citizens of the country under every circumstance. A war is ongoing in the Gulf countries. To ensure that the people of our country do not face any inconvenience due to it, he slashed excise duty by ₹10. In all countries, even in the US and Pakistan, the price of oil has gone up. But to ensure that it has no impact on the people here, the excise duty has been slashed."

Apart from the chief ministers of the states, the central ministers attending the PM-CM meeting are Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nirmala Sitharaman.

Earlier in the day, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said, "...Today, the Prime Minister is holding a meeting with all the Chief Ministers, which reflects the spirit of Team India, where the Central and state governments work together. Opposition parties should remember that they too are part of the government in many places, it is not that they are only in opposition..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is chairing a meeting with Chief Ministers through video conferencing on the West Asia conflict to review state preparedness and plans, ANI reported.

During his Rajya Sabha speech, PM Modi cautioned wrongdoers against exploiting the ongoing crisis and urged state governments to curb black marketing and hoarding.

Election-going states are not part of this meeting due to the model code of conduct. There will be a separate meeting for Chief Secretaries of the election-going states, which will be held through the Cabinet Secretariat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's virtual meeting with the chief ministers has begun.

On petrol, diesel & LPG supply in state, Punjab Industry & Commerce Minister, Sanjeev Arora says, “... We discussed about petrol, diesel, and LPG today with officials in Chandigarh. The LPG shortage is partly real and partly created.”

"For residential use, there is no shortage. Panic has arisen due to over‑booking, with people trying to reserve more cylinders than they need. My request is simple: book only what you require. There is no shortage of petrol or diesel. The Prime Minister is meeting Chief Ministers today, and further clarity will come by evening....," Arora said.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, said nearly 30,000 tonnes of commercial LPG have been supplied since 14 March.

“In making these decisions, the government ensured priority for restaurants, roadside eateries, hotels, industrial canteens, and migrant labour. Orders also specified priority for steel, automobiles, textiles, dyes, chemicals, and plastics,” she said.

“Around 30,000 small 5‑kg cylinders were distributed to migrant workers... The purpose of highlighting this is to make clear that India has sufficient crude, petrol, and diesel available. LPG, LNG, and PNG supplies are secure. Despite rumours in some places, which caused long queues at petrol pumps, there is no shortage. Even though the Indian crude basket price rose from around $70 per barrel to over $100, the government ensured that no product faced scarcity. Unlike many neighbouring countries where fuel prices have increased, in India, petrol and diesel prices have not been raised,” she added.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, said, “Our refineries are operating at full or even above capacity, and domestic LPG production has increased by almost 40%... Since India has a high import dependency—about 90% of LPG imports came through the Strait of Hormuz—the government decided to prioritise domestic consumers over commercial supply.”

“Initially, commercial supplies were halted, then gradually restored: first 20%, then an additional 10% based on ease of doing business for PNG expansion, later raised to 50%, and now to 70%.”

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, says, “... The conflict in the Middle East has affected India’s supplies of crude oil, LPG, and LNG. Crude prices, along with other petroleum products, have risen in the international market.”

“However, the Government of India has taken several important decisions at different levels to manage the situation effectively. We have sufficient crude inventory, with supplies lined up for the next two months. The situation is comfortable with respect to LPG and PNG as well.”

On Government slashing excise duty on petrol & diesel, CM Mamata Banerjee says, "...This is like going for shopping in a saree store. If you ask the price of a saree, he will perhaps tell you ₹1000. But after bargaining, he agrees to ₹400. Similarly, they have increased the price of gas. Even if they slash the excise duty now, where will the price actually stop? What I am more concerned about is that the public should not face inconvenience...Although gas and petrol availability is sufficient in our region, I demand an overhaul in the entire administration - from Police officers to BDOs. I demand that the gas cylinders from Haldia in Bengal not be sent out of the state."

Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) at the Ministry of External Affairs, says, “... Due to flight restrictions and airspace closures, we continue to facilitate the travel of Indian nationals: from Iran via Armenia and Azerbaijan to India; from Israel via Jordan to India; from Iraq via Jordan and Saudi Arabia to India; and from Kuwait and Bahrain via Saudi Arabia to India."

"Yesterday, an Indian national sadly lost his life in an attack in Abu Dhabi. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. Our mission in Abu Dhabi is in touch with them and is coordinating with local authorities for the early return of his mortal remains. Another Indian national sustained minor injuries but has been discharged from the hospital,” he said.

He added, "So far, seven Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives, and one remains missing in separate incidents. Our missions in Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are in contact with the authorities regarding the missing national and for the early repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased.""

The meeting is understood to have been convened in the wake of the prevailing West Asia situation following the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khammei.

According to PTI, the meeting is likely to discuss the safety of Indian nationals who live in West Asia and also those who are stranded, and how to deal with the situation if it deteriorates, the sources said.