NEW DELHI: With the war in West Asia set to enter its fifth week and with no early sign of resolution, PM Modi asked states Friday to ensure the confidence of people remained strong as there are adequate stocks of essential commodities.While he focused on preparing for prolonged disruption of supply lines, Modi also conveyed assurance about the country being in good stead, saying “efforts…in recent years to strengthen India’s economic and supply systems have proved beneficial”. In his virtual meeting with CMs — except those of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry where assembly polls are due next month — on Friday, PM Modi said while addressing a challenge is a shared responsibility.“We, working together as Team India, will successfully overcome the situation,” an official release quoted him as saying during the meeting. Modi said timely communication of accurate and credible information would help prevent panic. At the meeting, Modi stressed advance planning for keeping fertilisers available for the forthcoming Kharif season and called for continuing engagement with industry and MSMEs, some of which are already under strain because of the uncertainty regarding raw materials. The PM called for special attention in border and coastal states to address any emerging challenges related to shipping, essential supplies, and essential operations.He said states also needed to focus on long-term preparedness — promoting biofuels, solar energy, GOBARdhan initiative, electric mobility, and expansion of PNG connections.The PM said states with citizens in West Asia should activate helplines, appoint nodal officers, and establish district-level support systems to assist affected families and ensure timely flow of information.According to the release, the states appreciated PM’s engagements with different countries to ensure the well-being of Indian citizens abroad. Defence minister Rajnath Singh detailed the steps taken by Centre to ensure timely availability of LPG, while cabinet secretary T V Somanathan gave a presentation on the situation, and steps taken by the Centre as well as the ones that states needed to take.
