New Delhi, May 25: Amid concerns over fuel availability in some regions, former Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Marketing Director Sukhmal Kumar Jain on Sunday said there is no shortage of petrol or diesel in the country, asserting that public sector oil marketing companies are adequately managing fuel supply and consumption.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Jain said public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) continue to dominate India’s fuel retail network, ensuring stable product availability nationwide.
“I don’t think there is any shortage because as far as the consumption part is concerned, it is being fully managed by the public sector oil marketing companies,” he said.
According to Jain, public sector OMCs operate nearly 85,000 fuel stations out of approximately one lakh retail outlets across the country, providing strong distribution coverage.
“At least I can say that since they hold the larger share — out of 1 lakh-odd retail outlets, around 85,000 are from public sector oil marketing companies,” he added.
Jain acknowledged that isolated disruptions may occur due to local operational factors but stressed that these do not indicate any broader supply deficit.
“So stray cases may be there due to various other reasons, but otherwise there is no shortage,” he told IANS.
Commenting on prevailing market conditions, Jain said global crude oil markets remain highly volatile, with multiple cost components affecting oil companies’ profitability.
He highlighted the impact of rising crude prices, higher shipping and insurance costs, and currency fluctuations on the sector.
“The situation is very volatile, and there are various components. If you have really seen crude oil, then shipping costs, insurance, and even exchange rates, the way they have moved,” Jain said.
He noted that exchange rates, which earlier hovered around 89–90, have moved closer to 96, adding to the financial burden on oil marketing companies.
According to Jain, the combined impact of these cost pressures is resulting in oil companies absorbing losses estimated at Rs 600–700 crore per day.
Despite the pressure on margins, he maintained that public sector oil companies continue to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies and are effectively managing the country’s energy demand.
