Jammu, Mar 26 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or cooking gas in the Union Territory, urging people not to fall prey to rumours circulating on social media.
Addressing concerns over panic buying witnessed at several fuel stations, the Chief Minister clarified that the government has received no instructions from the Centre regarding rationing or curtailment of supplies. He said the current situation is being unnecessarily aggravated by misinformation.
“There is absolutely no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG. Supplies are normal, and there is no reason for panic,” he said, adding that rumours have led to an artificial surge in demand.
The Chief Minister warned that if the panic buying continues, the government may be compelled to order temporary closure of petrol pumps to stabilise the situation. “If people do not stop believing and spreading baseless rumours, we will have no option but to shut petrol pumps for a few days to break this cycle,” he said.
He appealed to the public to act responsibly and rely only on official sources for information. “Social media misinformation is creating unnecessary chaos. People must verify facts before reacting,” he added.
Officials said that fuel stocks across the Valley remain adequate and supply chains are functioning smoothly. They also assured that strict monitoring is in place to prevent hoarding and ensure equitable distribution.
The administration has urged citizens to avoid panic buying and cooperate in maintaining normalcy, reiterating that there is no cause for concern regarding fuel or LPG availability in the region.(NVI)
