The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Thursday, March 26, said India’s petroleum and LPG supply situation is fully secure and under control.
"All retail fuel outlets have enough supplies. There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG anywhere in the country," the ministry said in a statement.
It also issued a caution to customers against a coordinated misinformation campaign aimed at creating panic among consumers. "The Ministry calls upon citizens not to be misled by a deliberately mischievous, coordinated campaign of misinformation that is being carried out to spread unjustified panic," it said.
Calling India “an oasis of energy security”, the ministry said that since India is a net exporter to the world, domestic availability of petrol and diesel is "structurally assured."
“All 1 lakh-plus retail fuel outlets across the country are open and dispensing fuel without interruption. Not a single outlet has been asked to ration supply,” the ministry said.
Addressing reports of long queues at some pumps, the ministry said these were isolated cases triggered by misleading content on social media. “Where isolated instances of panic buying occurred… they were driven by deliberate misinformation,” it said, adding that fuel continued to be supplied to all consumers.
Oil marketing companies have since stepped up supplies, with depots operating round the clock to meet any surge in demand. The ministry also said companies have extended credit to petrol pump dealers to over three days from the earlier one day to ensure smooth availability and avoid working capital constraints.
The ministry added that India is currently receiving more crude from its 41-plus global suppliers than what was earlier routed through the Strait of Hormuz, an important sea route in the West Asian region which carries around one-fifth of the total global oil supply. “High volumes available in international markets — especially from the western hemisphere — have more than compensated for any disruption,” it said.
It added that all Indian refineries are operating at over 100 per cent utilisation, and oil companies have already secured crude supplies for the next 60 days.
“There is no supply gap,” the ministry said, dismissing concerns over any potential shortfall.
The story is being updated...
