<p>Guwahati: Panic buying of petrol and diesel was reported from several parts of Assam, including the largest city Guwahati, on Wednesday as reports of fuel shortage did the rounds on social media, even as the government affirmed that there was no supply crunch.</p>.<p>Long queues were seen in front of the petrol pumps as people tried to fill the tanks of their vehicles, anticipating a shortage of fuel.</p>.<p>In Guwahati, a number of petrol pumps hung 'no fuel' signs or were completely closed down after running out of stock due to panic buying.</p>.<p>Similar reports of panic buying leading to depletion of stocks were received from Golaghat, Nagaon and Darrang districts, among other places.</p>.<p>However, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota maintained there was no shortage of fuel and blamed "mischievous elements" for causing panic.</p>.<p>"There is no shortage of petrol or diesel in the state. We have checked with the suppliers, including IOCL, BPCL and HPCL," Kota told PTI.</p>.<p>"In fact, the Petroleum Secretary, during a meeting with all the states earlier today, said there was no shortage of petrol and diesel in the country," he added.</p>.<p>In the case of Guwahati, he said the administration has checked with each of the 35 petrol pumps within the city, and all had confirmed they have adequate stock.</p>.<p>The chief secretary, in a post on X, further said, "After review and verification with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), as well as individual petrol and diesel outlets across Assam including Guwahati City, it has been confirmed that there is adequate stock of petrol and diesel in line with the state's normal requirements at both OMC depots and retail pumps." "Additionally, IOCL has relaxed the payment terms for retailers, allowing them to make payments within three days of purchase, instead of the earlier same-day payment requirement," he added.</p>.<p>Assuring people of availability of stock, the top officer urged consumers to continue purchasing fuel as per their normal requirements from retail outlets.</p>.<p>Kamrup (Metropolitan) district commissioner Swapneel Paul also maintained that there was no fuel crunch.</p>.<p>A petroleum dealers' association source said though there was no supply shortage, some agencies were engaging in limiting the sale per person to ensure adequate stock.</p>.<p>"Panic buying is leading to pumps running out of stock. Also, there had been some change in credit-linked lifting of stock, which might have led to availability of lesser stock with some pumps," he added. </p>
<p>Guwahati: Panic buying of petrol and diesel was reported from several parts of Assam, including the largest city Guwahati, on Wednesday as reports of fuel shortage did the rounds on social media, even as the government affirmed that there was no supply crunch.</p>.<p>Long queues were seen in front of the petrol pumps as people tried to fill the tanks of their vehicles, anticipating a shortage of fuel.</p>.<p>In Guwahati, a number of petrol pumps hung 'no fuel' signs or were completely closed down after running out of stock due to panic buying.</p>.<p>Similar reports of panic buying leading to depletion of stocks were received from Golaghat, Nagaon and Darrang districts, among other places.</p>.<p>However, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota maintained there was no shortage of fuel and blamed "mischievous elements" for causing panic.</p>.<p>"There is no shortage of petrol or diesel in the state. We have checked with the suppliers, including IOCL, BPCL and HPCL," Kota told PTI.</p>.<p>"In fact, the Petroleum Secretary, during a meeting with all the states earlier today, said there was no shortage of petrol and diesel in the country," he added.</p>.<p>In the case of Guwahati, he said the administration has checked with each of the 35 petrol pumps within the city, and all had confirmed they have adequate stock.</p>.<p>The chief secretary, in a post on X, further said, "After review and verification with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), as well as individual petrol and diesel outlets across Assam including Guwahati City, it has been confirmed that there is adequate stock of petrol and diesel in line with the state's normal requirements at both OMC depots and retail pumps." "Additionally, IOCL has relaxed the payment terms for retailers, allowing them to make payments within three days of purchase, instead of the earlier same-day payment requirement," he added.</p>.<p>Assuring people of availability of stock, the top officer urged consumers to continue purchasing fuel as per their normal requirements from retail outlets.</p>.<p>Kamrup (Metropolitan) district commissioner Swapneel Paul also maintained that there was no fuel crunch.</p>.<p>A petroleum dealers' association source said though there was no supply shortage, some agencies were engaging in limiting the sale per person to ensure adequate stock.</p>.<p>"Panic buying is leading to pumps running out of stock. Also, there had been some change in credit-linked lifting of stock, which might have led to availability of lesser stock with some pumps," he added. </p>