Bhubaneswar: Amid concerns over oil shortage in the state, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra held a high-level meeting with officials of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and the Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association.
After the meeting, IOCL Chief General Manager Kamal Seal assured that there is sufficient petrol and diesel available across Odisha. He clarified that the long queues at petrol pumps were caused by panic buying and excessive purchase by people, and not due to any actual shortage.
“The situation has gradually improved. We have normalised the supply to all petrol tanks. There is enough oil for everyone, and people do not need to stand in long queues,” Seal said.
He further stated that there is no shortage from Paradip Refinery and that any petrol pump facing low stock will be immediately replenished.
Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association Secretary Sanjay Lath also addressed the issue, saying the temporary shortage occurred due to reckless and excessive selling coupled with some delay in the supply chain. He assured that oil supply will continue on Sunday as well and the situation is expected to become completely normal by Monday evening.
The minister’s intervention and the assurances from IOCL and dealers have brought relief to vehicle owners and the public amid the recent chaos at fuel stations.
