Amritsar DC issues advisory against hoarding, rumours as panic-buying of fuel continues on Day 2

Despite repeated assurances and advisory issued by the administration, residents made a beeline for petrol and diesel at fuel stations across the district. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed at almost all petrol stations as residents indulged in panic buying of fuel on the second consecutive day. Due to hoarding and bulk refuelling stoked by rumours of energy lockdown, several petrol stations remained closed from morning till afternoon on Friday, citing no fuel stock.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dalwinderjit Singh said there was no shortage of petrol and diesel in Amritsar district. He said consumers should purchase petrol/diesel as per their requirement. The DC also convened a meeting to take stock of situation during which he instructed all petrol pump owners in the district to avoid overcharging consumers on the pretext of fuel supply shortage. He said if any petrol pump owner was found doing so, appropriate action would be taken against him.

The DC instructed District Food and Supply Controller Harveen Kaur to ensure that no one indulges in hoarding or black marketing of fuel. The DC also asked her to take strict legal action those fuel pump owners who were caught black marketing petrol/diesel.

“I assure residents that there is no shortage of petrol/diesel at any petrol pump within the limits of Amritsar district. One should not worry about the supply of fuel. As before, oil should be purchased as per the requirement. No one needs to hoard these items,” he said in his appeal to residents.

Harveen Kaur said she held a meeting with sales officers of various oil companies in Amritsar district. “We have been informed by sales officers of the oil companies that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the district. Driven by rumours, some people among the general public are buying and storing excess petrol/diesel. This will create problems in the future.”