Due to increasing US-Iran war, the problem of oil and energy has increased all over the world. Oil supply has stopped due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Its biggest impact has been on India's neighboring countries Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. There is a shortage of petrol and diesel in these countries, hence governments are taking many decisions to save fuel.
India is also affected by this situation, yet some neighboring countries have asked for help from India. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that some countries including Bangladesh have demanded to provide diesel. India has said that it is considering the appeal for help along with the needs of its own country first.
The price of petrol has increased a lot in Pakistan. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik increased the price by Rs 137.24 to Rs 458.4 per liter, which is about 43% more. Pakistan buys about 80% of its oil from UAE and Oman, where oil has become expensive due to war. After public protest, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reduced the price by Rs 80 to Rs 378. Besides, facilities like 4-day work week, school holidays, online education and free public transport for 30 days were started in government offices.
Bangladesh fulfills 95% of its oil and gas needs from outside. Therefore the crisis has increased there also. The government has reduced the timings of offices and shops. There has been a ban on installing decorative lights during weddings. Government and private offices will open from 9 am to 4 pm and banks will open till 3 pm. Shopping malls will close at 6 pm. The government has banned the purchase of new vehicles and computers. Fuel purchase limits have been set and fertilizer manufacturing factories have also been closed.
Sri Lanka is already facing economic crisis and now the situation has become worse. India has given it about 38,000 tonnes of fuel. President Anuar Kumar Dissanayake has imposed fuel rationing, increasing prices by one-third and electricity prices by 40%. The government has switched off street lights, neon signs and huge advertising boards. Government institutions have been asked to run ACs less and work from home. Along with this, steps like implementing 4 day work week have also been taken.
Nepal To save energy, the company has also reduced the work week to 5 days instead of 6 days. Now there will be holiday on both Saturday and Sunday. Government offices will open from 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. The government is also considering converting petrol-diesel vehicles into electric ones. Due to shortage of fuel, half filled gas cylinders are being sold.
