With Kharif sowing season underway across Vidarbha’s cotton belt, the district administration has moved to prevent a repeat of the fuel panic that rattled the region in March, ordering strict surveillance on petrol pumps and cracking down on hoarding as farmers begin running tractors and farm machinery around the clock.Adequate diesel and petrol stock is available with BP, Hindustan Petroleum, and Indian Oil across Vidarbha districts, officials confirmed, dismissing social media rumours of an impending shortage as baseless. To prevent panic buying, authorities have ordered CCTV surveillance at all petrol pumps for 80 days, banned fuel storage in cans, drums, or open containers, and made it mandatory for farmers to carry fuel only in their tractor tanks. Emergency and essential services vehicles have been given priority access at all outlets.Taluka-level inspection officers have been appointed, with tehsildars directed to conduct surprise pump checks and submit regular reports to district headquarters. Display boards showing live stock availability must be installed at every petrol pump.
The measures come weeks after Nagpur saw fuel queues stretch across major roads following WhatsApp-driven shortage rumours. With Vidarbha’s sowing window now fully open, authorities are clearly not taking chances this season.
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