Bhubaneswar, May 15: Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on Friday assured the public that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the state and that adequate fuel stock is available for the next 13 days.

Addressing the media, the Minister said the state government has reviewed the fuel supply situation with senior officials of major oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL). He stated that Odisha currently has sufficient reserves to meet public demand without any disruption.

Patra said rumours regarding a possible fuel shortage had triggered unnecessary panic among people, leading to a sudden spike in fuel purchases across the state. “People who usually buy petrol worth Rs 100 started purchasing fuel worth Rs 500 and were also seen carrying barrels and jerrycans at petrol pumps. Due to panic buying, fuel demand has increased by nearly 50 per cent,” he said.

The Minister urged citizens not to hoard petrol or diesel out of fear and appealed to them to maintain normal consumption patterns. He stressed that there is absolutely no reason for panic as the government is closely monitoring the supply situation and ensuring uninterrupted availability of fuel across Odisha.

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