Shillong : Meghalaya BJP chief spokesperson M Kharkrang on Friday said rising fuel prices are a global phenomenon linked to the ongoing geopolitical crisis in the Middle East and asserted that the Centre is making efforts to prevent further hikes despite heavy losses faced by oil companies.
Speaking to reporters, Kharkrang said oil companies are currently incurring losses worth thousands of crores every day due to the government’s attempt to shield citizens from further increases in petrol prices.
“We are dealing with geopolitical situation right here and the government has been trying to prevent any hike in the petrol prices to the extent that oil companies are incurring losses worth thousands of crores every day and there will come a time that they will not be able to sustain themselves anymore,” he said.
Kharkrang maintained that the issue is not isolated to India alone but is affecting countries across the world due to instability in the Middle East.
“So, this is a worldwide phenomenon and because of the prices in the Middle East, I think it is not isolated to India alone so it is a worldwide phenomenon and I think we have to accept that,” he stated.
He further said that developments in the Middle East are beyond the control of the Indian government but continue to impact economies and trade globally.
“What is happening in the Middle East is beyond the control of the country and the central government. These things do affect. We have to bear with it,” Kharkrang added.
Backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity measures, the BJP leader urged citizens to reduce unnecessary expenditure and help conserve foreign exchange.
“I hope the people also heed to the austerity measures that the Prime Minister had requested all citizens of the country so that we prevent foreign exchange from leaving the country and to whatever foreign exchange that we have it stays within the country,” he said.
Kharkrang stressed that dealing with the economic impact of global instability requires collective responsibility and cooperation from all citizens.
“It is not about the central government or BJP government or any government. As a country, we have to bear this and we have to fight together,” he said.
When asked about possible solutions, Kharkrang said the only lasting solution would be an end to the conflict in the Middle East.
“Everybody wants the war to end. All peace-loving countries would want this war to end as it is affecting the trade and economy of almost all countries of the world,” he stated.
On the possibility of work-from-home arrangements as part of austerity measures, Kharkrang clarified that the Prime Minister’s appeal applied only wherever feasible.
“Wherever possible, we have done it during the Covid times. Labourers cannot work from home but there are many other works that can be done from home,” he added.