Mumbai, May 25 (PTI) With panic buying driving up daily diesel sales by 52 per cent and petrol by 23 per cent in Maharashtra, Minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday assured there is no fuel scarcity in the state, urging oil companies to run awareness campaigns against hoarding.
Speaking at a high-level review meeting on fuel distribution at the Mantralaya here, Bhujbal appealed to citizens not to fall for baseless rumours and avoid unnecessary hoarding.
Additional chief secretary Anil Diggikar, state rationing controller Chandrakant Dange and senior officials of various oil companies were present at the meeting.
According to district-wise sales data reviewed during the meeting, daily petrol sales in the state have increased by around 23 per cent, while diesel has risen by 52 per cent.
Statewide petrol consumption surged to 21,312 kilolitres on Monday against the normal daily average of 17,337 kilolitres. Diesel consumption saw a steeper climb, reaching 48,928 kilolitres compared to the May daily average of 32,252 kilolitres.
Petrol sales rose by 44 per cent in Akola, 47 per cent in Buldhana, 49 per cent in Jalna and 43 per cent in Wardha, officials said.
Diesel sales in several districts have also increased by 60 to 100 per cent, they added.
Bhujbal directed oil companies to launch awareness campaigns at district and taluka levels to reassure citizens that adequate fuel stocks are available and supplies are continuing smoothly across the state.
He noted that rumours of fuel shortage were being spread based on isolated incidents, warning of an artificial shortage if people continue large-scale purchases.
The Food and Civil Supplies Minister also instructed local administrations and oil companies to monitor unusual buying patterns and prevent hoarding.
He also reviewed the availability and distribution of LPG and PNG gas supplies during the meeting.
Bhujbal directed all concerned agencies to work in coordination to ensure that citizens are not inconvenienced.
As per the data shared by the department, Pune recorded the highest petrol sales at 3,864 kilolitres, up 31 per cent over the average daily figure, while diesel sales in the district rose by 37 per cent to 6,185 kilolitres.
Nashik saw a 26 per cent rise in petrol sales and a 70 per cent increase in diesel, while Thane witnessed petrol demand rise by 23 per cent and diesel demand by 35 per cent.
Some districts witnessed exceptionally high diesel demand.
Nanded recorded a 114 per cent jump in diesel sales, followed by Wardha at 105 per cent, Akola at 154 per cent and Amravati at 85 per cent over normal daily averages. PTI MR ARU
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