The Prime Minister’s Office on Monday categorically rejected the petroleum ministry’s proposal to shut petrol pumps at night to taper fuel demand. The PMO felt that any such step will not send a positive signal, particularly after the government came under sharp attack in Parliament and outside, with some calling the move a “night curfew”,
This forced the petroleum ministry to issue a clarification saying there was no proposal under consideration to allow the sale of petroleum products from retail outlets only during certain hours. “The ministry denies media reports that petrol pumps may be ordered to shut between 8 pm and 8 am,” it said. Oil minister M. Veerappa Moily said he had not sent any proposal to shut petrol pumps at night to the Prime Minister, so there was no question of it being rejected.
“We have already made it clear it is not our idea. It is an idea which is coming from the public and others. We have not accepted these suggestions,” said Mr Moily.