Ashok Gehlot demands truth on fuel, LPG shortage in Rajasthan
Synopsis
Former CM Ashok Gehlot has accused the Rajasthan government of concealing a fuel and LPG crisis in Jodhpur — where, reportedly, 40% of petrol pumps ran dry and travellers were forced to stop multiple times to refuel. With the government denying any shortage while pump operators allegedly cite verbal rationing orders, the credibility gap is widening fast.
Key Takeaways
Former CM Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday accused the Rajasthan government of 'misleading' the public over a fuel and LPG shortage.
Reports indicate nearly 40 per cent of petrol pumps in Jodhpur had run dry, according to Gehlot.
Travellers from Jodhpur to Jaipur were allegedly forced to stop 3–4 times to refuel due to a ₹1,000 -per-transaction cap at pumps.
LPG cylinders were reportedly unavailable for several consecutive days in parts of Jodhpur.
Pump operators allegedly received verbal instructions to ration fuel, even as the state government denied any shortage.
Gehlot warned that unverified rumours could cause panic and chaos among citizens.
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday accused the Rajasthan state government of 'misleading' the public over a reported fuel and LPG shortage, urging authorities to present the actual situation transparently so citizens can make alternative arrangements. Gehlot's remarks come amid reports of acute petrol, diesel, and cooking gas scarcity in parts of Jodhpur.
What Gehlot Alleged
Gehlot said visitors from Jodhpur who met him at his residence informed him that petrol and diesel were being supplied in limited quantities at many fuel stations, while several pumps had reportedly run dry altogether. He further alleged that LPG cylinders were unavailable for several consecutive days in certain areas of the city.
According to Gehlot, people travelling from Jodhpur to Jaipur were being forced to refuel three to four times en route because petrol pump operators were allegedly refusing to dispense fuel worth more than ₹1,000 per transaction. 'People travelling from Jodhpur to Jaipur are being forced to refuel three to four times because petrol pumps are allegedly refusing to provide fuel worth more than ₹1,000 at a time,' he said.
Rationing Claims and Long Queues
The former Chief Minister alleged that petrol pump operators had claimed they received verbal instructions to ration fuel supplies, even as the state government publicly maintained that there was no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG. 'This is leading to long queues outside petrol pumps,' Gehlot said.
Referring to reports that nearly 40 per cent of petrol pumps in Jodhpur had run dry, Gehlot called on the government to stop 'misleading the public' and instead disclose the real ground situation. Notably, the state government has not independently confirmed these figures.
Gehlot's Warning on Rumours
Gehlot also cautioned that the spread of unverified information and rumours could trigger panic and chaos among citizens. 'This is a time of crisis. Rather than speaking lies and creating confusion, the government should tell the truth so that people can prepare themselves and make alternative arrangements if required,' he said.
Government's Position
The Rajasthan state government has maintained that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG, according to reports. However, Gehlot's allegations — backed by accounts from residents — have put the administration under pressure to issue a detailed, verifiable public statement on supply chains and distribution. Whether the government responds with ground-level data or continues to deny any shortage will determine how this crisis of credibility unfolds.
Point of View
000, that is an administrative decision the government needs to own publicly, not deny. A government that manages a supply crisis quietly through informal instructions, while officially claiming no shortage exists, is not just misleading citizens — it is undermining their ability to make basic decisions. Gehlot's political interest in amplifying this is obvious, but the core accountability question stands independent of who is asking it: what are the actual supply numbers, and who authorised the rationing?
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fuel shortage situation in Jodhpur, Rajasthan?
According to former CM Ashok Gehlot, nearly 40 per cent of petrol pumps in Jodhpur had run dry as of Tuesday, with LPG cylinders also reportedly unavailable for several consecutive days in certain areas. The state government has denied any shortage, but pump operators allegedly cited verbal instructions to ration fuel.
What did Ashok Gehlot say about the Rajasthan government's response?
Gehlot accused the state government of 'misleading' the public by denying the shortage while ground-level conditions told a different story. He urged the government to disclose the real situation so citizens could make alternative arrangements.
Why were travellers being forced to stop multiple times for fuel?
Gehlot alleged that petrol pump operators were refusing to dispense more than ₹1,000 worth of fuel per transaction, forcing travellers on the Jodhpur–Jaipur route to stop three to four times to complete a full tank.
Has the Rajasthan government confirmed the fuel shortage?
No. The Rajasthan state government has maintained there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG. However, it has not yet provided supply chain data to counter the accounts cited by Gehlot.
What is the risk Gehlot warned about?
Gehlot cautioned that the spread of unverified information and rumours — fuelled by government silence — could trigger panic and chaos among the public, compounding the impact of the supply disruption.
