The Gujarat government on Monday appealed to citizens to not indulge in panic buying of petrol and diesel, asserting that sufficient fuel stock is available across the state.
Supplies remain normal despite rumours of shortages circulating on social media, it added.
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State government spokesperson and cabinet minister Jitu Vaghani said the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department is monitoring fuel availability round the clock and coordinating closely with oil marketing companies to maintain uninterrupted supply at petrol pumps.
"There is no need for citizens to panic due to rumours regarding fuel shortage. Sufficient quantity of petrol and diesel is available in the state and supply is completely normal," Vaghani said in a statement.
He said the government machinery was continuously collecting information about fuel availability at petrol pumps across all districts to identify areas where additional supply may be needed.
According to the minister, senior officials of the department are holding almost daily review meetings with oil marketing companies such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited to ensure timely dispatch of fuel tankers to areas reporting low stock.
District supply officers have also been instructed to maintain constant monitoring of petrol and diesel stocks through video conferences and ensure there is no hoarding or unauthorised sale of fuel, he said.
Vaghani said the state government prepares daily reports based on supply data of petrol, diesel and LPG received from oil companies, following which necessary instructions are issued to district authorities and companies.
The minister said complaints regarding "petrol pump dry out" are being addressed promptly through coordination between district authorities and oil companies.
He clarified that the state government has not imposed any restriction on fuel purchase for ordinary citizens.
However, special arrangements have been made for bulk diesel supply, under which up to 200 litres can be supplied for agricultural purposes and up to 1,000 litres for mobile towers.
Vaghani further said oil marketing companies have reported an over 80% increase in monthly sales growth due to panic buying triggered by rumours.
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"As soon as fresh stock reaches petrol pumps, it gets sold immediately because of panic buying. The temporary gap before the next supply reaches the pumps should not be mistaken for a shortage," he said.
The minister appealed to citizens to purchase fuel only according to their daily requirements and not pay attention to rumours, adding that the state administration was fully equipped to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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