Govt says adequate fuel stocks available amid panic buying in several states

The government is monitoring fuel supplies across the country on a daily basis and taking immediate corrective steps to ensure adequate stocks are available, a senior official said on Monday, citing panic buying at petrol pumps in parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the country has enough stocks of petrol, diesel and domestic cooking gas LPG and dryouts at a few pumps was a result of a 20-30 per surge in demand due to a combination of factors, such as increased consumption in agriculture and bulk users tapping petrol pumps for their needs because of the price difference.

Also, private pumps selling petrol and diesel at rates that are at least Rs 5 and Rs 3 per litre higher than



PSUs led to a shift to retail outlets of oil marketing companies, resulting in dryouts in some parts.

Sharma said oil marketing companies were closely tracking retail outlets and replenishing stocks to prevent any fuel dry-outs as demand surged in some regions.

“All retail outlets are being closely monitored at the level of oil marketing companies and the petroleum ministry…supply situation is being closely monitored to immediately address any intermittent dryouts and to replenish stocks of petrol and diesel at all retail outlets,” she said.

“The country has a sufficient supply of LPG, petrol and diesel.” She urged consumers to avoid panic buying, conserve fuel and shift to alternatives, such as piped natural gas and induction cookers, wherever possible.