In a crisis-like situation, the Rajasthan government is “misinforming” the public with regard to the situation of supply of fuel and LPG, Ashok Gehlot said on Tuesday.
The former chief minister of Rajasthan has told that there was a shortage of petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders in several areas of Jodhpur. Visitors who approached him at his home told him that many petrol pump outlets in the city were selling fuel in a meagre quantity or had exhausted the fuel stock, Gehlot added.
He alleged that while travelling between Jodhpur and Jaipur people had to make a halt several times to refuel some of the petrol pumps were refusing to give fuel for more than ₹1,000 at a time. Gehlot further said that LPG cylinders were not getting delivered for several days in some areas, which had caused hassles among the households.
The senior Congress leader said the state government was continuing to deny that there was any shortfall in the supply, while the petrol pump owners were saying they had been advised by the Congress government to ration the supply of petrol. He said that it was causing confusion and causing long lines outside fuel stations.
Gehlot, citing reports of almost 40 per cent petrol stations in Jodhpur going dry, called on the government to refrain from spreading glee or “false assurances” and rather give the people the truth.
In the event of any emergency or shortage of supply, transparency was key for citizens to make other plans on time, he said. Gehlot said that rumours and inappropriate communication will lead to panic and exacerbate the situation further.