The unfounded article is being widely circulated at social media platforms. Citing several challenges India is facing at the economic front, the article says “if no steps would be of any help to control the economy, Narendra Modi would have no option but to impose the financial emergency in India under Article 360 and the country would go in its worst and most dreaded recession of all times.”
ABP News’ sources rejected the report as fake and said that there is no plan to impose any financial emergency .
Later o, even the Press Information Bureau (PIB) rejected the claim and tweeted: "An online website has falsely reported that the Government is likely to impose Financial Emergency in India to tackle the crisis caused by Covid-19. Please be advised that the story is malicious and fake and that there is no such plan."
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also refuted the report during her press conference conducted earlier in the day in order to announce financial measures to overcome Coronavirus and its financial repercussions on citizens.
The fake news was circulated ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second address to the nation in the wake of the novel coronavirus that has gripped the entire nation. "Will address the nation at 8 PM today, 24th March 2020, on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19," read a tweet by the Prime Minister.
Watch the full report exposing the fake news:
The pandemic has led the country to a standstill with several states sealing their boundaries, and yet others imposing full-fledged curfew to contain the spread of the epidemic.
In his previous address to the nation on Thursday, the Prime Minister had urged people to follow a 'Janta Curfew' on Sunday which was, by and large, a success as citizens remained indoors. As of now, almost the entire country is under lockdown to restrict public movement in a bid to break the chain of transmission of coronavirus.