Date:08/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/08/stories/2008070854801100.htm

National

‘Maintain supply of normal petrol, diesel’

Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has directed the oil marketing companies (OMCs) to take urgent steps to ensure availability of unbranded petroleum products.

The move comes after petrol pump owners across the country and the Federation of All-India Petroleum Traders complained about the “failure” of the OMCs to ensure adequate supply of normal petrol and diesel to petrol pumps, forcing customers to buy expensive premium branded fuel products.

Some associations in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal threatened to stop taking supply of the branded products if supplies of normal petrol and diesel were not resumed immediately. Some States even came out with executive orders, asking the OMCs to ensure adequate supply of unbranded fuel.

However, the OMCs refused to relent and even threatened to resort to “rationing” of products if the price rise continued. This led to the Petroleum Ministry facing the people’s wrath as well as complaints from the States about the “indifferent attitude” of the OMCs and their continued “disregard” for making petroleum products available in the open market.

Fearing a backlash, the Petroleum Minister gave the directive to the OMCs — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.

The Petroleum Ministry has also asked the OMCs to build sufficient stocks of petroleum products to meet emergency situations that include disruption in petroleum products’ movement.