Petition on petrol, diesel shortage disposed

Chennai, July 4 (UNI)Madras High Court today disposed of a petition complaining of shortage of ordinary petrol and diesel.

The First Bench comprising Chief Justice A K Ganguly and Mr Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla disposed of the petition filed by AIADMK Advocate R Balasubramanian after the Union Petroleum Ministry said it had made arrangements for adequate supply of ordinary petrol and diesel in the state.

In its counter, the Ministry, represented by its Secretary, said the marketing of petrol and diesel branded or otherwise was done by the public sector oil marketing companies.

The Ministry had not given any instructions to the companies to restrict the sale of unbranded petrol and diesel or increase sale of branded petrol and diesel.

The Union Government had already taken note of the fact that throughout the country, at different places, consumers were being compelled to buy premium fuels which was one of the grounds for the All India Transport Congress to go on a nation-wide strike.

''In the interest of public,the Government of India has already directed the Oil Marketing Companies that they should take urgent steps to ensure adequate supply and availability of both unbranded and branded variants of Diesel and Petrol at the Retail Outlets across the country,''the counter added and sought to dismiss the petition.

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