Chief minister Raman Singh on Thursday appealed to the people not to panic over rumours of diesel and petrol shortage in the State. Singh in his appeal to the people said that diesel and petrol are being supplied to the consumers at all 902 fuel pumps in the State and there was no shortage.
He also appealed them not to buy petrol and diesel in excess on the basis of the rumours spread in the State. Meanwhile, on the directives of the Chief Minister, the Food Secretary R. Prasanna on Thursday convened a meeting with the officials of the oil marketing companies and took stock of the situation.
The officials of the oil companies said that as on June 25 the State had a stock of 28.70 lakh litres of petrol and 1.28 crore litres of diesel. They said the oil companies have already supplied the stock to the State’s pumps. Similarly, a total 13 lakh litres of petrol and 60 lakh litres of diesel were received on June 25 by the oil companies through Railway rakes.
Today on June 26, the State has a stock of 20.84 lakh litres of diesel and 1.25 crore litres of petrol. They said the companies also received 13.40 lakh litres of petrol and 80 lakh litres diesel by Railway rakes and by road transport. The officials of the oil companies said daily consumption of petrol and diesel in the State is 11.70 lakh litres and 43.20 lakh litres respectively
The Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection R. Prasanna directed all the district collectors to ensure that all retail outlets of petrol pumps in the State provide petrol or diesel to vehicles only.
They should ensure that fuel is not supplied to anybody in bottles, boxes, drums and other containers, Prasanna said He also directed them to make surprise inspections of the petrol pumps and other places in their respective region and take strong action against hoarders.
In the circular, the Director has also urged the district collectors to ensure better coordination between officials of the oil companies and Railway officials are maintained to meet the genuine demand of the consumers.
If they find a shortage of the fuel in any of the areas, they should inform the Department immediately, he said. Prasanna also asked the district collectors to inform the public through media about the latest position of the oil stock in the district.