There was no let-up in the fuel shortage in the state on Friday. The dealers said the companies are doing this as they are facing losses due to rate cuts by the government.
BHUBANESWAR: Petroleum dealers in the state said oil companies are supplying them less quantity of fuel against their demand. The companies usually release the fuel after advance payment for the order. Previously, dealers were getting fuel and paying the money later.
There was no let-up in the fuel shortage in the state on Friday. The dealers said the companies are doing this as they are facing losses due to rate cuts by the government.
Sanjay Kumar Lath, general secretary of the Utkal Petroleum Dealers Association, said fuel shortage is more in small towns and rural areas of the state. “Though big cities are also feeling the heat, the supply chain was not disrupted on Friday. The situation may continue for a few more days,” he added. He said dealers in smaller towns and rural areas are the worst-hit. “We have highlighted the problems in a memorandum to Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas Rameswar Teli two days ago,” he added.
Debabrata Dey, a petrol pump owner, said the oil companies do not supply the required quantity. “If we give an order for two loads (around 40,000 litres), they will supply only one which is not enough. And they supply only after they get payment. Though they were giving us fuel in credit on Saturdays and Sundays, it has stopped now,” he added.
Sasanka Sekhar Sahu, president of Petroleum Dealers’ Association, Odisha, said private companies like Reliance and Essar have closed their petrol pumps.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-and-gas/odisha-blame-on-low-supply-from-oil-firms-for-fuel-scarcity/92325202