Bengaluru, 18 May

Public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have assured that adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available across Karnataka and urged consumers not to resort to panic buying or overstocking.

Siddharth Agarwal, State-Level Coordinator for the oil industry in Karnataka (IOC, BPCL and HPCL), said the entire fuel supply chain — from terminals and depots to retail outlets—is functioning normally without disruption. He stated that fuel supplies are being continuously monitored and replenishment operations are progressing smoothly across the state.

“All retail outlets are operating normally and are fully equipped to meet consumer demand. Adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available across all outlets,” he said, adding that the oil industry is closely coordinating logistics, stock movement and retail operations to ensure seamless availability. He urged the public to continue normal consumption patterns and avoid panic buying.

Meanwhile, political tensions surfaced over fuel price hikes, with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge accusing the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “lacking foresight” and contributing to rising inflation.

Speaking to reporters, Kharge alleged that the government delayed fuel price increases until after the recent elections in four states and a Union Territory. He said petrol, diesel and LPG prices were increased immediately after the polls concluded, adding that the ruling party was aware of the impact such hikes would have had during elections.

He further claimed that the BJP-led government had failed to control inflation, stating that rising fuel prices were burdening the poor. Petrol and diesel prices were recently increased by Rs 3 per litre each, marking the first hike in over four years amid rising global crude prices linked to tensions in West Asia.