New Delhi, May 15 (HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dismissed media reports claiming that the Centre was considering imposing a cess or surcharge on foreign travel, stating that there was “not an iota of truth” in such claims.

Responding to a report circulated by business news channel CNBC-TV18, the Prime Minister said there was no proposal to place restrictions on overseas travel.

“This is totally false. Not an iota of truth in this. There is no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel. We remain committed to improving Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living for our people,” PM Modi said in a post on social media platform X.

The report had claimed that a proposal to levy a cess, tax or surcharge on foreign travel was under discussion at senior levels of the government in view of the economic impact of the ongoing Iran conflict and rising crude oil prices.

Soon after the Prime Minister’s response, CNBC-TV18 withdrew the report and issued a clarification stating that the information carried earlier was inaccurate.

In its statement on X, the media outlet said, “Our story on government considering tax/cess on foreign travel is not accurate. We withdraw the story and regret the error.”

The earlier report had stated that the proposed levy, if implemented, would have been temporary and aimed at offsetting higher import and fuel costs arising out of global tensions.

The clarification comes days after PM Narendra Modi, while addressing a public event in Telangana, appealed to citizens to use fuel responsibly, avoid unnecessary foreign travel and reduce non-essential expenditure on imported goods in view of global economic uncertainties and the impact of the Iran conflict on energy prices.

Meanwhile, petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre on Friday amid rising international crude oil prices.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar