Srinagar- Director Food and Supplies Department, Abdul Salam on Wednesday refuted the claims of fuel shortage in the Kashmir Valley.
The official remarks came on the heels of the claims by some commuters alleging that some petrol pumps in and around Srinagar city are running short of fuel causing inconvenience to people.
Media reports had also suggested limited supply of fuel in the international market caused by the war in Ukraine.
Pertinently, there are three companies which supply fuel to vehicles in India—Indian Oil Corporation limited, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum.
Talking to Kashmir Observer, spokesperson Kashmir Valley Petroleum Dealers Association, Bilal Ahmad Bhat said Oil companies are facing losses because of war between Ukraine and Russia.
“Oil companies are facing a loss of Rs 25 to 28 per liter in the international market and there is a limited supply of fuel and the companies are telling oil pumps it sell to vehicle owners only,” Bilal said.
“Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are facing shortages in the country. In Kashmir, there are some fuel pumps which are owned by Indian Oil Corporation so the fuel shortage caused at other pumps cannot be seen.”
In the coming days, Bhat said, there is probability that fuel prices will increase.
Media reports also suggest Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and J&K are among the states where fuel shortage is a problem.
“This is an international crisis, the state and central governments have very little or no control over it,” Bilal said.
However, Director F&S Department Abdul Salam said there is no fuel shortage in the valley.
“I have talked to the officials and there is no dearth of fuel in Kashmir valley,” Salam said. “This is rumor mongering and people are not going to face any such problem. It looks like the dealers have seen fuel prices increasing and may want to stock fuel for the purpose of black marketing, we will not allow that. I have talked to the officials from the Indian Oil Corporation and they are not facing any such shortage. But yes, Bharat Petroleum is having some minor issues which will be addressed in day.”
People are not going to face any problem with regards to availability of fuel, he clarified.
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