New Delhi, 16 May (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dismissed media reports suggesting that the government was considering imposing taxes, levies or restrictions on foreign travel, calling them “completely false.”

In a post on the social media platform X late Friday, the Prime Minister said such claims were outright lies and contained no truth. He added that there is no question of imposing any such curbs on overseas travel. “We remain committed to improving ease of doing business and ease of living for our people,” he said.

It is notable that the Prime Minister, speaking recently in Hyderabad on 10 May and in Vadodara on 11 May, had appealed to citizens to adopt seven measures in view of global developments. Those appeals included recommendations such as reducing petrol and diesel consumption by encouraging work-from-home and lowering dependence on private vehicles, and promoting the use of public transport. He also urged people to moderate their desire to purchase gold as a measure to conserve foreign exchange.

In that context, the Prime Minister had advised that people should travel abroad only when necessary. His intent was to encourage restraint among those planning foreign trips for summer vacations and similar non-essential reasons. He emphasized that there was no question of banning travel abroad for essential purposes or for business.

Prime Minister Modi therefore urged the public not to be swayed by the disinformation circulating about his statements, and reiterated that the government prioritises both ease of doing business and ease of living.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar