Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Friday said there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the state and urged people not to panic-buy fuel amid reports of long queues at petrol pumps.

The minister stated that Odisha currently has sufficient fuel stock for the next 13 days and clarified that the government has not imposed any restrictions on fuel supply at petrol pumps.

Minister Reviews Fuel Situation

Amid the prevailing fuel crisis-like situation in several parts of the state, Patra held a meeting with officials of various oil companies at Lok Seva Bhavan to review the situation.

After the meeting, the minister said panic buying had led to a sudden spike in demand over the past few days.

“We have oil in stock for another 13 days and there is no shortage of fuel. However, a panic buying situation emerged. We are unsure how the panic spread and people assumed that fuel would not be available in the future,” Patra said.

Panic Buying Increased Demand

The minister said the rush at petrol pumps resulted in a sharp increase in fuel demand across the state.

“This resulted in long queues and people even started buying fuel beyond their requirement. They also brought jerrycans to petrol pumps to store fuel. Due to this situation, the demand grew by 50 per cent in the past few days,” he said.

Patra appealed to people not to crowd fuel stations unnecessarily and to purchase fuel only as per requirement.

“I request everyone not to panic and to buy fuel according to their requirement. I request people not to buy petrol in jerrycans and store it at home,” he added.

No Government Restriction On Fuel Supply

The minister further clarified that the capped fuel distribution seen at petrol pumps was not directed by the government.

“There is sufficient stock of fuel in the country. When large crowds gather at petrol pumps, oil companies supply fuel in capped quantities so that everyone can buy and also to rush the process. No such instructions have been issued by the government,” he said.

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Meanwhile, IOCL CGM Kamal Sheel also assured that sufficient fuel stock is available in the state and advised people not to panic over the situation.