Maharashtra food and civil supplies minister Chhagan Bhujbal said on May 22 that petrol and diesel stocks were sufficient and asked residents to stop buying extra fuel out of fear. In a report published at 12.54 pm, NDTV Marathi quoted him attributing unusually high sales to rumours of shortages amid international tensions.
Bhujbal put May sales roughly 20 per cent above the usual average and said the Centre and state could maintain supplies. He appealed to motorists to buy only what they needed and not accumulate additional stocks in vehicles or at home. His statement sought to reduce the rush rather than announce a new rationing policy.
A later Indian Express report, published at 1.36 pm, set out the comparison periods behind the department's figures. Diesel sales in the first fortnight of May were 19.66 per cent above normal consumption and petrol sales were 20.39 per cent higher. On May 19 alone, diesel sales rose 42 per cent and petrol 21 per cent over average daily sales.
The newspaper reported the state government's position that demand had been met. It also recalled its earlier reporting of disruptions at rural pumps, farmers alleging limits of 10-15 litres of diesel per tractor daily, and dealers citing delivery delays and the suspension of credit supplies. Those local accounts differed from the government's statewide assurance.
In a separate May 21 dispatch, IANS reported central officials saying fuel production and supplies were being maintained. They cited harvesting-season diesel demand and customers moving from higher-priced private outlets to public-sector pumps among reasons for increased sales at some locations. Officials said outlets withholding fuel or reducing quantities were being pulled up.
The figures describe different pressures: a fortnight-long increase, a sharper single-day rush and distribution problems reported at individual outlets. Bhujbal's appeal addressed fear-driven buying, while the earlier dealer accounts concerned delivery and credit arrangements. Adequate aggregate stocks and difficulties obtaining fuel at particular pumps are distinct claims.
