Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 26 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Ravula Sridhar Reddy on Thursday said the situation on the ground over-reported fuel shortages remains "very bad", with long queues witnessed at petrol pumps in Hyderabad amid panic among residents.
Speaking to ANI, Reddy said that despite multiple official statements, public anxiety persists, and people are seen forming huge lines outside petrol outlets to fill fuel.
Reddy urged the Telangana state government to work in close coordination with the central government to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies and to boost public confidence over availability.
"The situation on the ground is very bad. Even in Hyderabad, you can see huge lines before the petrol pumps to fill the fuel. The panic is gripping despite many statements...The state government should work in coordination with the central government and must ensure that there is no shortage of supplies, and they should instil confidence in the public that the supplies will be there,' he said.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies Department, Government of Telangana, on Tuesday categorically clarified that there is absolutely no shortage of Petrol, Diesel, or domestic LPG anywhere in the state.
According to the release issued by PRO, Civil Supplies, Telangana State, the supply chain from oil refineries to local depots is fully operational, and self-sufficient stock is available to meet the regular daily requirements of all citizens across all districts.
As per the release, the recent reports of long queues and temporary "No Stock" boards at certain retail petrol outlets are strictly the result of sudden, unwarranted panic buying fueled by false rumours.
"When citizens unnecessarily rush to fill their tanks to full capacity, it creates an artificial scarcity, despite adequate fuel being available at the depots," the release said.
Furthermore, the release informed that the recent administrative changes regarding advance-payment models by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have caused minor, temporary logistical adjustments for some local dealers.
To manage the situation and ensure equitable distribution, the Central and State Governments, in close coordination with OMCs and the Police Department, are actively monitoring fuel outlets.