Private retailer’s price hike sparks fuel sale refusal at pumps in Sirsa

Sirsa: India's largest private fuel retailer Nayara Energy's move to raise petrol and diesel prices led to petrol pumps in Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa refusing to sell the two fuels on Thursday, triggering panic among motorists.The disruption led to long queues at other petrol pumps as word of the refusal spread and motorists rushed to fill their tanks. The development comes amid recent public concerns over domestic gas and LPG supply, adding to anxiety among consumers. Several petrol pump operators allegedly cited "stock-out" to stop fuel sales after the price hike, prompting suspicion of deliberate withholding of stocks.Serious allegations have surfaced that some operators may have held back fuel procured at lower rates in anticipation of higher profits after the revised prices came into effect. The alleged hoarding and black marketing caused inconvenience to the public and led to fears of a wider disruption in petrol and diesel supply.The administration has taken cognisance of the matter and sought explanations from petrol pump operators. Sirsa district food, civil supplies and consumer affairs controller Harveer Singh said there was adequate availability of domestic gas, CNG, petrol and diesel in the district. He urged the public not to panic or believe rumours, maintaining that supply remained normal. He also directed operators not to charge above prescribed rates and warned of strict action against violators.Rajkumar Salemgarh, president of the All Haryana Petrol Pump Association, said Nayara Energy operated only 50-60 pumps in Haryana and had raised prices, while other companies were unlikely to follow immediately. He said apprehensions over price fluctuations may have led to reduced supply at some outlets, but maintained that there was no actual shortage of petrol and diesel at present.