Petrol Sold at Rs 100 in Rural Madhya Pradesh

In rural Madhya Pradesh, the petrol and diesel are being sold at prices 15 to 20 per cent higher than market rate, according to reports.  

There are around 3,200 petrol pumps in Madhya Pradesh, but the supply might be inadequate to fulfil the consumption of 7 crore population of the state. In rural areas or near tourist places, petrol is being sold at Rs 100 -110 per litre.

The skyrocketing prices of petroleum products have already distressed the common man, and continue to burn holes in their pockets despite reduction of Rs 2.50 in the price by the Centre last week – ahead of the assembly elections in five states, including Madhya Pradesh.

On Tuesday, the petrol price reached between Rs 82 and Rs 88 in metro cities, while in some cities, it was being sold at Rs 90 per litre earlier.

Newsclick team visited Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s constituency Budhni and other nearby constituencies like Astha, Sehore, Ichhawar.

A villager named Suresh Singh (35) told Newsclick, “Bhaiya ham log to petrol Rs 100 me kharidte hai khula hua, kue ke sabse nazdik petrol pump 17 km dur hai’ (Brother, we are forced to buy petrol at 100 because our nearest petrol pump in 17 km away from the village).

To verify his claim, the team visited nearby areas, and found it to be true. There is a small shop in the village, which had stocked petrol in a drum, was and selling it for  Rs 100 a litre. The shopkeeper, Mahendra Singh (name changed) said, “Petrol pump is 17-18 km away from the village. Every second day I visit nearby petrol pumps, and purchase petrol, diesel in bulk, which is not only a risky job, but also takes a lot of effort. So, in my emergency petrol pump, you can find petrol and diesel anytime, but you have to pay extra to get it.”  

A local automobile mechanic, however, alleged, “They not only sell the petrol at high price, but also mix kerosene oil in it to increase quantity, and increase profit. This adulterated petrol affects the engines.”

Petrol at Rs 105 in India’s Aadarsh Village – Balaguda (Mandsaur)

Balaguda village is 21 km away from Mandsaur, and it is one of India's 10 best villages, as per the Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yogna (declared on August 24, 2016), where petrol is being sold at Rs 105 a litre.

When asked, former Sarpanch of the village, Amrit Lal Patidar, said, “This is the irony of an ‘Aadarsh Village’ where you have to travel 21 km to Mandsaur to buy petrol or diesel. We are forced to buy adulterated petrol at high price.”

When asked about the grim situation of the petrol pumps in the state, chairman of Madhya Pradesh Petrol Pump Owners Association, Ajay Singh, claimed that the state is in a better condition in comparison with the previous years. 

He said that the petroleum companies conduct surveys from time to time and if they find that the consumption is close to 50,000 litre a month in a particular area, then they open pumps.

“If the companies find that the consumption is less than Rs 50,000 litre in a month, neither any businessman nor company takes any interest in opening a pump because one needs Rs 1 crore to open and run a petrol pump. If the sell is low, then who will bear the brunt?” asked Singh.