"Issued strict order that no one will stockpile diesel and petrol": Chandrashekhar Bawankule
Mumbai, May 23
Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued strict directions to prevent stockpiling of petrol and diesel.
Bawankule also warned that collectors have been asked to take action against anyone creating artificial scarcity.
He said district officials are monitoring the situation closely and claimed that people of Maharashtra are supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Bawankule said, "The Chief Minister has issued a strict order and has given information to everyone that no one will stockpile diesel and petrol... All collectors are on the field for this. All collectors have been told that if anyone creates unwanted scarcity anywhere, strict action should be taken against them. I believe that the people of Maharashtra are strongly supporting Prime Minister Modi's appeal."
His remark comes amid a fresh hike in fuel prices across major cities, with petrol and diesel rates rising for the third time in less than 10 days due to global energy market volatility.
In Delhi, petrol rose by 87 paise to Rs 99.51 per litre from Rs 98.64, leaving it just 49 paise short of the Rs 100 mark. Diesel in the capital is up 91 paise to Rs 92.49 per litre from Rs 91.58.
The repeated hikes come amid a call for fuel conservation as the world faces an energy crisis amid the West Asia conflict, which led to a blockade in the significant maritime trade route, the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Bawankule also asserted that strict action will be taken under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against anyone found involved in cow slaughter or the illegal sale of cow meat ahead of the Eid al-Adha (Bakrid).
He said that religious observances and celebrations should be confined to private spaces and warned against any public slaughter or violation of the law during the festival period.
"... Anyone who slaughters a cow or cattle will not be spared. I can confidently tell you that we are keeping a close watch. All the SPs and collectors are checking this. What the Chief Minister has said is correct. MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) should be imposed, and MCOCA action should be taken," he further said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good intentions but we need more than just orders. With global oil prices rising and the Strait of Hormuz situation, it's hard to blame people for being worried. The government should also look at reducing taxes to ease the burden on common man.
I appreciate the tough stance on fuel hoarding and MCOCA for cow slaughter. The state needs to show it's serious about law and order. However, the real test will be during Bakrid when both issues might be tested. Let's see how the administration handles it. 🤔
While I support fuel conservation, these repeated price hikes are crushing the middle class. Every time we get some relief, prices go up again. Hope the government finds a way to stabilize fuel prices without making us pay the price. Also, MCOCA for cow slaughter feels like overkill when there are actual gangsters running loose.
Great move by Fadnavis ji! 👍 No to hoarding, yes to conservation. The PM's appeal for fuel saving is patriotic. We all need to do our bit. And about MCOCA - if it helps prevent illegal cow slaughter and violence during Eid, then it's a strong deterrent. Maharashtra needs strict laws.
The MCOCA angle is interesting but seems disproportionate for something that's already illegal under existing laws. Better to focus on fuel crisis and making sure people aren't cheated by petrol pump owners who may stockpile during this shortage. Common man is suffering enough.
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