Krushna Chandra Patra on Friday assured that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel in Odisha and appealed to people not to panic-buy fuel amid long queues at petrol pumps across the state.
The minister said Odisha currently has adequate fuel stock for the next 13 days and clarified that the government has not imposed any restrictions on fuel supply.
Minister Reviews Fuel Situation
Amid panic buying and heavy rush at fuel stations, Patra held a review meeting with officials of various oil companies at Lok Seva Bhavan.
After the meeting, he stated that the sudden spike in demand was triggered by panic among consumers.
“We have oil in stock for another 13 days and there is no shortage of fuel. However, a panic buying situation emerged. We are unsure how the panic spread and people assumed that fuel would not be available in the future,” the minister said.
Demand Rose By 50 Per Cent
According to Patra, panic buying significantly increased fuel demand in the past few days.
“This resulted in long queues and people even started buying fuel beyond their requirement. They also brought jerrycans to petrol pumps to store fuel. Due to this situation, the demand grew by 50 per cent in the past few days,” he stated.
The minister urged citizens not to crowd petrol pumps unnecessarily and advised against storing petrol at home.
“I request everyone not to panic and to buy fuel according to their requirement. I request people not to buy petrol in jerrycans and store it at home,” he added.
No Government Order On Fuel Capping
Patra clarified that the limited fuel distribution seen at some petrol pumps was not ordered by the government.
“There is sufficient stock of fuel in the country. When large crowds gather at petrol pumps, oil companies supply fuel in capped quantities so that everyone can buy and also to rush the process. No such instructions have been issued by the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, IOCL CGM Kamal Sheel also assured that sufficient fuel stock is available in the state and appealed to the public not to panic.
