• No shortage of petrol, diesel, LPG: Centre
• Over 4,000 raids to curb hoarding, black marketing
• Excise cut by ₹10/litre to shield consumers
New Delhi: The Centre on Friday urged citizens to avoid panic buying of fuel and LPG, assuring adequate nationwide availability despite disruptions triggered by the ongoing West Asia crisis and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said all necessary measures are in place to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel and LPG, even as global crude prices remain volatile.
Authorities have intensified enforcement, conducting over 4,000 raids to check hoarding and black marketing, seizing more than 1,300 LPG cylinders. Oil marketing companies have also issued over 670 show-cause notices to distributors.
To cushion consumers from rising crude prices, the government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre, while imposing export levies on diesel and aviation fuel to boost domestic availability.
Officials said refineries are operating at high capacity and stocks remain sufficient, with no reports of shortages at retail outlets. However, instances of panic buying have been reported in some areas due to rumours.
States have been directed to prioritise LPG distribution, especially for domestic and essential sectors, and to act strictly against hoarding under the Essential Commodities Act.
PIB
