Centre turns down AP’s request for bulk diesel supply to Amaravati

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh govt asked oil marketing companies to supply high-speed diesel in bulk for Amaravati's capital works. The Centre, however, asked the state chief secretary to withdraw the request. At present bulk allotments to retail channels is not permitted.Civil supplies commissioner K Kanna Babu wrote to oil firms seeking diesel from nearby retail outlets, projecting a requirement of 27,566 kilolitres till July. The break-up indicated 4,238 KL for April, 8,879 KL in May, 7,527 KL in June and 6,920 KL in July. He said Amaravati, as a flagship project, needed assured supply to avoid construction delays. The proposal specifically sought facilitation of diesel allocation from nearby petrol bunks at retail prices to meet these requirements.Union petroleum secretary Dr Neeraj Mittal noted that retail pumps are licensed only for dispensing fuel into vehicle tanks or approved containers, not bulk supply. Meanwhile, YSRCP state coordinator Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy lashed out at the state govt, alleging that the petroleum crisis was "man-made havoc". He dismissed claims of panic buying and accused the state of shifting blame onto the public.