Bengaluru, May 11 (IANS) Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Monday defended PM Modi’s appeal for restrained consumption and austerity measures, saying the call was made in view of the ongoing global conflicts, rising international prices, and the need to protect India’s foreign exchange reserves.

Speaking in Bengaluru, Deve Gowda said PM Modi had appealed to 150 crore Indians to use resources carefully in light of the adverse impact of global tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

“This is the negative impact of the ongoing international conflicts. Hence, everyone should welcome the Prime Minister’s appeal,” Deve Gowda said.

Referring to the continuing tensions in West Asia, the former Prime Minister said the global crisis had created economic uncertainty and affected several countries.

“In this background, PM Modi has advised people to use resources slowly and carefully,” he said while defending the Prime Minister’s remarks on restrained consumption.

Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje also backed PM Modi’s call, stating that the Prime Minister had been consistently encouraging responsible consumption and healthy living over the past decade.

“During the Covid period, he asked people to practise yoga. For the last two years, he has also been advising people to reduce oil consumption,” she said.

Karandlaje noted that India was heavily dependent on imports of edible oils and petroleum products.

“In the matter of edible oil, our country is not Atmanirbhar. Nearly 70 per cent of edible oil is imported from other countries,” she said.

The Union Minister noted that India imports palm oil from countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia and said that reducing consumption would help lower foreign-exchange expenditure.

“If the use of oil is reduced, foreign exchange expenditure will also come down,” she added.

Karandlaje further stated that petroleum products were extensively used in transportation and fertiliser production and that restrained usage could help India conserve valuable foreign exchange reserves.

“We are not self-reliant in petroleum products. If our country has to become truly Atmanirbhar, resources must be used carefully and in moderation. That is PM Modi’s expectation,” she said.

She added that such measures would also have positive health benefits and said Modi had repeatedly stressed the issue even during Cabinet meetings.

“He has spoken out of concern for the country and the need to protect India’s foreign exchange reserves,” she said.

Referring to the sharp rise in gold prices amid global conflicts, Karandlaje said countries affected by war often try to maximise economic gains during uncertain times.

“Gold prices are skyrocketing. There is confusion in countries where wars are taking place. We should not blindly run behind gold purchases. The Prime Minister’s appeal is that we should focus on our priority sectors,” she added.

–IANS

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