Vehicles queue up at a fuel station in Ludhiana on Wednesday. Photo: ASHWANI DHIMAN
Shivani Bhakoo
Ludhiana, February 14
The Punjab Petroleum Dealers Association has announced that it will not purchase fuel on February 15 in the state due to which there has been panic buying of petrol and diesel in the city. Chairman of the association Ashok Sachdeva has confirmed that owing to less commission by oil companies, dealers in Punjab had decided not to buy petrol tomorrow. Consequently, long queues were witnessed outside petrol stations.
Shortage likely on Feb 16
Punjab Petroleum Dealers Association chairman Ashok Sachdeva said if oil tankers were stopped at any place due to the farmers’ protest on February 16, there might be a shortage.
On being asked if there would be a scarcity of fuel in the state, Sachdeva said if oil tankers were stopped on borders or any other place due to the farmers’ agitation on February 16, there might be a shortage.
Meanwhile, many petrol stations allegedly harassed commuters by only accepting cash and not cards or UPI payments. “I went to a fuel station to refill petrol in my car but to my surprise, the attendant refused to accept Paytm or card. I was not carrying cash and after waiting for over 25 minutes, I had to return without fuel,” said Subha, a homemaker.
Many fuel stations also refused to provide diesel, saying that pumps were dry. The commuters were seen waiting in queues to get fuel at almost all petrol stations in the city.
Sachdeva said being the biggest district of the state, the consumption of fuel in Ludhiana was more than anywhere else. “There is an increase of up to 50 per cent sales of fuel. It is bound to create panic when fuel, for around three days, is sold in a single day,” he said.
On February 22 also, the dealers would not sell fuel in the state, he said.
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