We have enough stock, refrain from buying in panic: Food Minister

  Long queues have been seen at several petrol pumps in Agartala since Monday night amid fears of a possible fuel shortage owing to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The panic and anxiety among the public prompted the state government to respond with  Tripura Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sushanta Chowdhury on Tuesday coming up with an official statement.
He said that stocks of petroleum products and essential commodities in the state were adequate.
Addressing media persons after holding a meeting with merchant association office-bearers and petrol pump owners, Chowdhury said the government had taken note of apprehensions among the public regarding a potential disruption in fuel supplies.
“We have noticed that a section of people resorted to buying sprees, especially petroleum products with a perception that a crisis of petroleum products might occur in the state due to the war that broke out in the Middle East. But, the perception is totally wrong. We have enough stock of essentials including petroleum,” he said.
He said discussions were held with representatives of the merchant association and the petrol pump owners’ association, and that he had also spoken to Indian Oil officials.
“I would like to inform the people that we have enough stock of petrol, diesel and LPG. I have spoken to Indian Oil officials and the meeting continued for a long time. The officials assured us that for the next one month we have more than sufficient stock,” the minister said.
Chowdhury said shortages typically arise when rail or road connectivity is affected and noted that weather conditions at present were favourable.
Calling for restraint, he urged people to avoid unnecessary purchases, stating that such actions could lead to panic and anxiety.
In separate posts on social media, the minister said there was “sufficient stock of petrol, diesel and fuel gas in the state at present” and appealed to people not to crowd fuel stations or circulate rumours. He added that adequate quantities of essential commodities were available and that the overall situation was normal.
The minister said the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department was monitoring supply and pricing to ensure availability of petroleum products and essential goods across the state. Merchant bodies were asked to maintain reasonable prices, he said, adding that strict action would be taken against any attempt to create artificial scarcity or exploit the situation. Enforcement drives would be launched shortly to curb black marketing and prevent abnormal price rise, he said.
A two-wheeler rider waiting in a queue told reporters that he feared the war in the Middle East might trigger an oil crisis and said he had come to fill his fuel tank in anticipation of a possible shortage.