Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to adopt austerity measures. File
Dismissing news media reports that the government is considering levying taxes on foreign travel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 15, 2026), said that there is “no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel.”
In a post on X, Mr. Modi while referring to a report by a news outlet that the Centre is discussing proposals to levy cess/surcharge on foreign travel to offset war-related financial impact, called such speculations “totally false.”
Editorial | Belated warning: On the Prime Minister’s austerity appeal
“Not an iota of truth in this,” he added.
This comes amidst the Prime Minister repeatedly asking citizens to adopt austerity measures as the crisis in West Asia continues to unfold. He has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of electric vehicles, utilising railway services for parcel movement, and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.
Mr. Modi also appealed to the people of the country to postpone the purchase of gold and foreign travel for a year.
Published – May 15, 2026 10:32 pm IST
