Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials and oil marketing companies to restore normalcy across Andhra Pradesh by ensuring an adequate supply of petrol and diesel to meet public demand. Reviewing the fuel shortage situation at his camp office the previous day, the Chief Minister held discussions with officials and representatives of oil companies.

Officials informed him that the shortage was triggered by a sudden surge in demand due to large-scale purchases by commercial consumers at retail outlets. District Collectors told the Chief Minister that private operators such as Nayara, Reliance and Jio had suspended supplies to their company-owned outlets, aggravating the situation. Officials further stated that oil companies had withdrawn credit facilities earlier extended to retail outlets.

Questioning representatives of HPCL, IOCL and BPCL, Mr Naidu asked why the credit support had been stopped and directed them to ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply without gaps. He warned that if oil companies deliberately caused inconvenience to the public and the government, permissions granted to them could be reconsidered. The Chief Minister said arbitrary decisions affecting essential public services would not be tolerated and warned of strict action against irresponsibility.

Mr Naidu directed District Collectors to establish special task forces and control rooms involving revenue, police and Legal Metrology departments until normalcy is restored. He also ordered an inquiry into the sudden fuel crisis. The Chief Minister said normalcy must be restored immediately and directed that ‘No Stock’ display boards at fuel stations should be removed.