20 May,2026 10:02 PM IST | Jalna (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondent
Fuel supply has also been prioritised for election-related duties, Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils. Representational Pic/File
The Jalna district administration in Maharashtra has directed petrol pump owners to reserve five per cent of their fuel stock for emergency service vehicles amid concerns over panic buying in parts of the state.
Officials said the reserved fuel will be used for essential government and emergency services to ensure uninterrupted operations.
According to the district administration, the reserved stock must be supplied to vehicles belonging to the police, ambulance services, fire brigade, health department, disaster management teams, electricity and water supply departments, homeguards and civic authorities.
Fuel supply has also been prioritised for election-related duties, Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils.
The Collector instructed all fuel station owners to ensure that vehicles involved in emergency and public services continue to receive fuel without disruption.
In a separate order, petrol pump operators in Jalna have been prohibited from dispensing petrol or diesel into plastic bottles or cans.
The administration said fuel should only be filled directly into vehicle tanks.
The decision comes amid reports of panic buying and fuel stockpiling in several cities, particularly in the Marathwada region.
Earlier on Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed fears of fuel shortages in the state.
He urged citizens not to panic buy petrol and diesel, stating that Maharashtra has an adequate fuel supply.
CM Fadnavis said unnecessary stockpiling by consumers can temporarily disrupt the fuel distribution system despite sufficient availability.
Speaking to reporters, CM Fadnavis said there is sufficient supply of petrol and diesel across Maharashtra and urged people to avoid unnecessary stockpiling.
The Chief Minister said temporary disruptions in fuel availability are being caused mainly due to panic buying by consumers.
"There is an adequate supply of petrol and diesel in Maharashtra. Panic buying disturbs the supply chain that has developed over several years," he said, according to the PTI.
CM Fadnavis compared the situation to a bank system, explaining that supply chains are designed to handle normal daily demand and can face temporary pressure if everyone attempts to purchase excess fuel at the same time.
(with PTI inputs)
