Congress MP Imran Masood has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delayed response to crucial decisions, claiming the country has been left stranded amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
Speaking to ANI, Masood said, 'The Prime Minister is waking up late. Where decisions should have been made on time, and where we were leading a neutral stance, we have been left stranded. We will have to bear the consequences.'
The central government has reduced excise duty on petrol to ₹3 per litre and brought it down to zero for diesel, but retail prices of petrol and diesel have remained unchanged so far.
The decision follows escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route that handles nearly one-fifth of the world's crude oil supply.
Before the crisis, India sourced around 12-15% of its oil imports through this route.
The government has maintained that fuel supplies across the country remain stable, with all retail outlets operating normally and adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all petrol pumps.
