Maharashtra CM Fadnavis orders stern action against petrol and diesel hoarding

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. PIC/X/@CMOMaharashtra

The Maharashtra government has initiated action against the hoarding of fuel - petrol and diesel - even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis asked the state administration to identify the reasons for the rise in fuel demand and directed stern action against those found erring.

A sudden spike in fuel demand has prompted the government to monitor the situation closely. The CM, who observed unusual spikes in consumption in several districts, claimed that Maharashtra has witnessed a sharp 52 per cent rise in fuel demand.

‘Artificial shortage'

Petrol prices were raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71 on Monday. FILE PIC

The CM said a significant rise in demand gives the feeling that someone is hoarding fuel, raising concerns over artificial shortage of fuel in some areas. Earlier, the chief minister had clarified that there is no fuel shortage in the state.

Long queues for fuel

Several parts of Maharashtra are witnessing long queues at petrol pumps, especially in rural areas. In many places, fuel stations have either run dry or put up "no fuel" boards, forcing people to wait for hours to refill their vehicles. In some districts, residents are even staying overnight near petrol pumps in the hope of getting fuel the next morning.

Fuel price hike

Petrol prices were raised by Rs 2.61 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.71 on Monday, the fourth increase in less than two weeks that extended a delayed pass-through of soaring global crude oil costs triggered by the Iran conflict. After Monday's increase, petrol in Mumbai was priced at Rs 111.21 per litre and diesel at Rs 97.83.

Rs 111.21
per litre Petrol price in Mumbai