Diesel sales drop due to early rains

New Delhi: Early rains moderated the growth in fuel demand by disrupting travel in June. Sales of petrol and jet fuel managed to stay in the green zone, while LPG (cooking gas) posted a surprise surge. But consumption of diesel continued to be lower than a year ago due to low traction from .

Provisional data showed petrol sales rising 5.6% from a year ago, driven by use of personal vehicles for holidaymakers through the month, a far cry from 9.2% annual growth posted in May, the highest over a year. Diesel consumption, one of the indicators of economic growth, was down a tad at 0.4% from the previous corresponding period. This was essentially due to rains disrupting movement of goods and people as well as construction work.