Maharashtra fuel shortage rumours false, says Minister Bhujbal amid panic buying surge
Synopsis
Despite official assurances that Maharashtra has ample fuel stocks, panic buying triggered by rumours has sent diesel sales soaring up to 100 per cent in some districts. Minister Bhujbal and CM Fadnavis have both stepped in — one with awareness campaigns, the other with a hoarding crackdown — in a race to stop misinformation from manufacturing a real shortage.
Key Takeaways
Minister Chhagan Bhujbal confirmed on 25 May that Maharashtra has adequate petrol and diesel stocks and no actual shortage exists.
Panic buying has pushed statewide petrol sales up 23 per cent and diesel sales up 52 per cent .
District-level diesel demand surged between 60 per cent and 100 per cent ; petrol rose up to 49 per cent in Jalna .
CM Devendra Fadnavis warned of stringent action against fuel hoarders, attributing price hikes to the global crisis.
Oil companies have been directed to run public awareness campaigns at district and taluka levels to counter misinformation.
The LPG and PNG distribution network was also reviewed, with authorities instructed to ensure uninterrupted supply.
Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Monday, 25 May firmly clarified that Maharashtra holds adequate stocks of petrol and diesel, asserting that there is no fuel shortage in the state. Despite the assurance, widespread rumours in several districts have triggered panic buying, pushing daily fuel sales sharply higher across the state.
The Scale of Panic Buying
According to district-wise sales data reviewed at a state-level meeting, petrol sales across Maharashtra have surged by approximately 23 per cent, while diesel sales have spiked by a far steeper 52 per cent. The district-level picture is more stark: petrol sales rose 47 per cent in Buldhana, 49 per cent in Jalna, 44 per cent in Akola, and 43 per cent in Wardha. Diesel sales in several districts climbed between 60 per cent and 100 per cent, underscoring how quickly unverified information can distort supply chains.
What the Government Said
Minister Bhujbal, speaking at a review meeting on fuel distribution attended by Additional Chief Secretary Anil Diggikar, State Rationing Controller Chandrakant Dange, and senior oil company officials, appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary hoarding. He instructed oil companies to immediately launch public awareness campaigns at the district and taluka levels to counter misinformation. He also directed local administrations and oil companies to closely monitor bulk purchases and prevent unwarranted stockpiling.
Bhujbal noted that the rumours appeared to stem from isolated minor incidents, warning that such speculation risks creating an artificial scarcity where none actually exists.
Chief Minister Fadnavis Issues Warning
Earlier on the same day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warned that stringent action would be taken against anyone found hoarding fuel. Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis attributed the four consecutive hikes in petrol and diesel prices to the ongoing global crisis. He made a direct appeal: 'I urge citizens not to engage in panic buying or hoarding of petrol and diesel,' adding that the government would act firmly against violators.
LPG and PNG Supply Also Reviewed
The meeting additionally reviewed the availability and distribution network of LPG and PNG gas across the state. All concerned authorities were directed to coordinate closely to ensure uninterrupted supply and prevent public inconvenience on that front as well.
What Happens Next
With awareness campaigns now ordered at the district and taluka levels, and administrations put on alert for bulk buying, authorities are betting that transparent communication can arrest the panic before it strains actual supply. Whether that messaging reaches citizens quickly enough — particularly in districts already recording near-100 per cent diesel demand spikes — will be the critical test in the days ahead.
Point of View
Pumps do run dry, validating the very fear that caused the rush. Maharashtra's response — awareness campaigns and hoarding crackdowns — is the right toolkit, but its effectiveness depends entirely on speed and reach. The government's bigger challenge is structural: four consecutive fuel price hikes have already eroded public trust, making citizens far more receptive to shortage rumours than they would otherwise be.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fuel shortage in Maharashtra?
No. Minister Chhagan Bhujbal confirmed on 25 May that Maharashtra has adequate stocks of petrol and diesel and that the supply chain is functioning normally. The surge in sales is being driven by panic buying triggered by rumours, not by any actual shortage.
Why have petrol and diesel sales spiked so sharply in Maharashtra?
According to state data, widespread rumours of an impending fuel shortage have prompted citizens to buy more than they need. Petrol sales are up around 23 per cent and diesel sales up 52 per cent statewide, with some districts recording diesel demand increases of up to 100 per cent.
What action is the Maharashtra government taking against hoarders?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has warned that stringent action will be taken against anyone found hoarding fuel. Local administrations and oil companies have also been directed to monitor bulk buying and prevent unwarranted stockpiling.
Why have petrol and diesel prices risen in Maharashtra recently?
CM Fadnavis attributed four consecutive fuel price hikes to the ongoing global crisis. He did not specify the precise external factors but linked the increases directly to international market pressures.
Which districts in Maharashtra have seen the highest fuel demand surge?
Among petrol sales, Jalna recorded the highest rise at 49 per cent, followed by Buldhana at 47 per cent, Akola at 44 per cent, and Wardha at 43 per cent. Diesel sales in several districts rose between 60 per cent and 100 per cent.
