Fuel shortage looms in Punjab as petrol pump dealers announce suspension of sales

In a significant development set to impact consumers across Punjab, the Punjab Petroleum Dealers’ Association (PPDA) declared a suspension of petrol and diesel sales on February 22. The decision stems from the dissatisfaction among dealers over the absence of an increase in their margins since August 2017.

Monty Sehgal, spokesperson for the Petrol Pump Dealers’ Association, highlighted that oil marketing companies (OMCs) have refrained from adjusting margins for petroleum dealers since the last revision in August 2017. In response to the demand for increased margins, representations have been dispatched to the heads of oil companies, with a parallel representation forwarded to the Prime Minister. Sehgal emphasized that all petroleum dealers in the state will observe a ‘No Purchase Day’ on February 15, refusing to procure petrol and diesel from oil companies.

Consequently, on February 22, petrol and diesel sales will come to a standstill at petrol pumps across Punjab. Sehgal also announced the association’s support for the nationwide general strike called by farmer unions on February 16.

While the PPDA has confirmed the suspension of petrol and diesel sales on February 22, there is a looming possibility of a similar shortage on February 17. This potential scarcity arises from the decision not to make any purchases from oil companies on February 15. The association has additionally expressed solidarity with the farmers’ nationwide strike on February 16, raising the likelihood of fuel shortages on that day as well. With the stock of petrol pumps expected to reach a critical level within two days, the specter of a fuel shortage on February 17 intensifies. Consumers across Punjab are bracing themselves for the impending challenges posed by this disruption in petrol and diesel supplies.