Govt monitoring fuel supply-distribution, will initiate action against hoarders: CM Fadnavis

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday stated that there has been a significant increase in regional retail fuel consumption compared to typical seasonal patterns, highlighting that the state's Food and Civil Supplies and Home Departments are jointly overseeing the supply and distribution pipelines.

The state has expanded petrol distribution by 23 per cent and diesel by 52 per cent to stabilise market demand, he said.

The CM stated that there seems to be hoarding of fuel, which is being monitored. He further added that there is also a possibility of diversion of fuel for commercial use, which is also being looked into.

Addressing the media after the weekly cabinet and accompanied by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, CM Fadnavis said that specific regions are recording distinct surges, with Akola showing an increase of 154 per cent, and several districts, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed, Bhandara, Buldhana, Gondia, and Hingoli, reporting up to a 70 per cent climb in regular market consumption.

“The administration is analysing variations between commercial and retail fuel supply segments to verify that retail resources are effectively reaching agricultural and consumer lines,” he said.

The CM’s statement comes a day after the Maharashtra government and PSU Oil Marketing Companies (BPCL, IOCL, and HPCL), through the State Level Coordinator (Oil Industry), Maharashtra, Mihir Ganesh Joshi, on Monday, assured consumers that adequate petrol, diesel and LPG stocks are available across the state.

Supply operations are being closely monitored and maintained without disruption, they said. The PSU Oil Marketing Companies have assured that there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all petrol pumps as well as storage locations of Oil Companies across Maharashtra. Stocks at petrol pumps are being regularly monitored by the state government as well as Oil Companies and replenished to ensure uninterrupted availability.