Ahmedabad, March 24 The Gujarat government said on Tuesday that there was an adequate supply of petrol and diesel in the state, and that it was also ensuring a better supply of commercial LPG, especially in areas where PNG networks are not available.
The government's clarification came as people were seen queuing up at petrol pumps in large numbers to fill petrol or diesel in their vehicles amid rumors about a shortage of petroleum products due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
Speaking to reporters, Additional Chief Secretary of the Gujarat Food and Civil Supplies Department, Mona Khandhar, said, "The central government has ensured an adequate supply of petrol and diesel in Gujarat. There is also a sufficient stock available. There are absolutely no restrictions on the distribution of petrol and diesel. Therefore, we appeal to the public and request them not to believe in any rumors. Citizens do not need to form long queues or panic."
"Not just petrol and diesel, we are also going to ensure better availability of commercial LPG, especially in areas where PNG networks are not available. In addition to the priority sector, where we have allowed 75 per cent LPG, we have decided to increase the quota to semi-essential sectors to 25 per cent from 10 per cent," she added.
For the priority sector – where we had previously authorized 75 per cent commercial LPG allocation – the supply under this quota will continue uninterrupted, she said.
"Additionally, for semi-essential sectors, where we had previously provided a 10 per cent allocation – we are increasing this quota to 25 per cent. This category includes industrial canteens, fisheries, and agro-processing units. We are also increasing the allocation from 10 per cent to 25 per cent for religious and social organizations that have been providing food services for the past year," Khandhar said.
She said that in every district, the government is making 10 per cent of commercial LPG available to a key industrial sector – specifically MSMEs – that is generating substantial employment opportunities.
"All of this has been made possible due to increased allocations received from the central government and the significant impetus we have given to the expansion of the PNG network. City gas distribution companies are now being granted all the necessary permissions within 24 hours to expand their networks or provide new connections," she said.
In the next two weeks, the government is set to provide over 1,200 new commercial PNG connections and more than 3,50,000 new domestic connections in Ahmedabad, she added.
Khandhar said that strict legal action will be taken against any dealer who deliberately keeps a pump closed despite having sufficient stock or causes inconvenience to people.
Indian Oil Corporation and petrol dealers also assured people that adequate stock of fuel was available across the state.
Indian Oil Corporation's state nodal officer and executive director Sanjib Behera said that adequate petrol and diesel inventory is available at all depots and terminals across Gujarat. He assured that citizens need not queue at petrol pumps, as fuel will be available whenever required.
President of the Petroleum Dealers Association of India Ajay Bansal said that oil companies have extended supply hours and increased the stock availability.
He urged citizens not to crowd petrol pumps due to misleading messages or rumours on social media, assuring that there is no fuel shortage in Gujarat and neither is it likely in the near future.
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