The Centre has asserted that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG anywhere in the country and warned that petrol pumps refusing supply or dispensing fuel in reduced quantities are being strictly monitored and pulled up. According to senior government officials, fuel supplies are being maintained at all retail outlets across India and the government is continuously monitoring the situation through regular feedback from petrol pumps. The government's action comes after widespread rumours about fuel shortages led to panic buying and reports of pumps displaying 'No Petrol' and 'No Diesel' signs across various regions.
Major oil companies have moved to reassure consumers following widespread rumours about fuel shortages. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) have all issued statements insisting that fuel supplies remain stable and operations continue normally across their retail networks. According to reports from The Financial Express, these public sector companies are working to calm fears over potential supply disruptions amid recent petrol and diesel price hikes. The government's latest assertion provides additional backing to these company statements.
Responding to the rumours, HPCL issued a clarification on X, dismissing reports of shortages in Maharashtra's Nandurbar district. According to the company's data shared with The Financial Express, petrol sales in Nandurbar stood at 5,254 KL compared to historical sales of 4,539 KL, a rise of 15.8 per cent. Diesel sales climbed to 15,656 KL against historical sales of 12,933 KL, registering a growth of 21.1 per cent. HPCL stated that all 87 of its retail outlets in the district continue to operate normally and are serving customers without disruption. Government officials clarified that higher fuel sales at some outlets are primarily driven by increased diesel demand during the harvesting season.
The government has defended this week's ₹3.91 per litre hike in petrol and diesel prices, claiming the increase was among the lowest globally despite rising crude oil costs. According to officials, India's 4.4 per cent fuel price hike was significantly lower than increases witnessed in several major economies. An IndianOil official said public sector oil companies had absorbed the rising crude costs for 76 days before implementing the partial price increase. The official noted that the ₹3.91 hike restores only part of the increase in crude costs, while many countries have passed on much steeper increases directly to consumers. As per The Financial Express, the hike, linked to elevated crude oil prices amid the West Asia crisis, has already triggered concerns around inflation, transportation costs and household budgets.
Government officials pointed to a shift in consumers from private fuel retailers to public sector petrol pumps after some private companies reportedly raised prices. According to officials, institutional and commercial consumers are also moving towards retail outlets of public sector oil companies because bulk fuel sales are currently priced nearly ₹20 higher in line with international rates. This trend has contributed to increased demand at public sector outlets, with consumers seeking more affordable fuel options amid the current price volatility. The government maintained that despite global volatility and rising crude prices linked to geopolitical tensions, India has managed to keep fuel price increases relatively moderate while ensuring uninterrupted supply nationwide.
