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No shortage of petrol, diesel in Punjab: Govt.

Chandigarh: There is no shortage of LPG, petrol and kerosene throughout Punjab and oils companies are having surplus stock of these products in the State, a senior officer said on Monday.

Punjab Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh on Monday summoned a meeting of area heads of oil companies to check on the reports of shortage of diesel and petrol in various parts of the State.

H.S. Bedi, State level Coordinator of Oil Industry informed the Chief Secretary that oils firms had supplied 42 per cent more diesel and petrol during this week, compared to last year to maintain sufficient supply of petro products throughout the State.

He said certain petrol pumps in rural belts had gone dry due to panic buying or hoarding of diesel by users and dealers on expectations of price rise or fear of shortage of diesel during paddy sowing season starting from June 10.

He said during this week 68, 231 kl of diesel was supplied, against 48, 129 kl supplied during the same period last year, registering a growth of 42 per cent.

Mr. Bedi said oil firms were committed to supply diesel for paddy sowing and consumers need not hoard diesel fearing shortage.

The Chief Secretary said he had already sent a communication to Union Petroleum Secretary requesting him to augment diesel supply during paddy sowing season as it was imperative for the food security of the nation.

Mr. Singh also instructed R.P.S. Pawar, Principal Secretary Food & Supplies to constitute district-level teams with representative of oil firms and weight and measures departments to raid petrol pumps, to check hoarding by dealers. The team would also check the dispensers of petrol pumps. — PTI

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No shortage of petrol, diesel in Punjab: Govt.

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