Motorists in Chennai say fuel outlets are pushing them to buy premium petrol

Motorists are complaining that, over the past few days, many retail fuel outlets in Chennai have been insisting that they buy premium petrol variants instead of regular fuel, which is costlier by ₹9 a litre. Fuel outlets have also begun rationing diesel to heavy vehicles to ensure that there is no diversion of diesel to industrial users. 

K. Saravana Kumar, a resident of Washermanpet, said that he tried getting petrol in several fuel outlets, and the pump operators were pushing high-end fuel only. “In these times of tight budgets, not everyone can afford to spend additionally for travel. Even if I tell them that I don’t need high-end petrol, they say it is the only thing available,” he said. 

A few dealers said that they had been supplied premium petrol instead of regular petrol. “I was told to take additional stock of 10 KL of the costlier version. I could not say no since I needed something to sell to customers,” he said. 

As far as diesel is concerned, fuel outlets have been told not to supply to industrial users since that grade of diesel is costlier by ₹35 a litre than regular diesel. “If we get a heavy vehicle needing 400 litres, we have to keep proof that we have indeed sold diesel to a truck. No diversion can happen. Some fuel outlets have been instructed to not sell more than 200 litres,” said a dealer.

Diesel supply was also being delayed on purpose in some cases. Dealers said that fuel supply was not as smooth as it was two months ago. It’s not automated as before, and each time an order is placed, it has to be cleared by the concerned Oil Marketing Company (OMC). They are not told to push sales, but only ensure that customers are not put to hardships. 

Sources in an OMC said that there was no shortage of fuel and there was no need for panic.

Meanwhile, the Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers, which represents close to 40,000 fuel outlets across the country, has written to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) to oppose forced Power Petrol (Premium) sales and indent restrictions. It’s general secretary K. Suresh Kumar said: “It has come to our attention that dealers are being pressured to 'push' Power Petrol (Premium) to consumers. We wish to emphasise that consumers have a fundamental right to choose their preferred product. Dealers cannot dictate preferences or coerce the purchase of premium fuels.”

Similarly, a dealer cannot legally refuse to supply ordinary Petrol to a consumers. With all three Public Sector OMCs publicly clarifying that there is no product shortage, restricting same of ethanol blended motor spirit contradicts these official statements.