Fuel Diversion Will Invite Stern Action, Warns Nadendla Manohar
He directed district authorities to review such complaints on priority and initiate strict action against erring outlets
Vijayawada: Civil supplies minister Nadendla Manohar on Tuesday directed officials to take stringent action against fuel outlets diverting petrol and diesel through bulk supply channels and warned that artificial shortages would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Chairing a teleconference with senior officials, district authorities and representatives of oil marketing companies on the fuel situation in Andhra Pradesh, the minister said the government was closely monitoring supplies and distribution to ensure normalcy at petrol bunks across the state.
Nadendla Manohar said a majority of complaints received through the consumer grievance toll-free number 1967 were related to petrol bunks allegedly refusing to dispense fuel despite having adequate stocks. He directed district authorities to review such complaints on priority and initiate strict action against erring outlets.
He said the number of closed petrol bunks was gradually declining across the state, while dispatches from oil companies had increased significantly. Officials were asked to ensure that incoming fuel loads were fully supplied to vehicle owners and not diverted elsewhere.
The minister said aqua farmers were passing through a crucial phase and fuel shortages should not affect them. He directed officials to ensure adequate diesel supply for aquaculture and harvesting operations during the Rabi season through coordination between agriculture, revenue and civil supplies departments.
He noted that the rationing system introduced at petrol bunks during the crisis had yielded positive results. According to him, the shortage caused by panic buying, public anxiety and supply disruptions was gradually coming under control due to coordinated administrative efforts.
Manohar said the rationing mechanism had helped regulate demand and prevent panic purchases, and should continue until the situation was fully stabilised.
The minister instructed senior officials to remain alert and respond immediately to any supply disruption. He also ordered strict surveillance against rumour-mongering on social media and directed officials to register criminal cases against those attempting to create artificial scarcity or spread misinformation.
He said continuous monitoring, coordination and review meetings would continue until fuel supplies normalised completely across the state.
Civil supplies commissioner Kannababu also participated in the teleconference.
