Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis.
| Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday (March 27, 2026) stated that the Central government’s decision to reduce excise duty on fossil fuels will protect the consumers from the impact of rising global crude prices triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict.
“The excise duty is reduced by ₹10 per litre, so that there is no impact of global tensions on the citizens. This cost will be borne by the government of India and oil companies,” said Mr Fadnavis, adding that when the neighbouring countries are on the verge of shutdown, India has ensured that there is no shortage of oil and LPG in the country.
Amid the surge in global crude oil prices, the government decided to cut the Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre.
He emphasised that we have enough stock of petrol and diesel to last for a month and appealed to citizens not to line up outside the petrol pump, saying, “The artificial shortage will be created due to an imbalance in supply and demand. So, there is no need to hoard the fuel, and if the companies are stockpiling it, then complain about it.”
The people will be charged with criminal sections if they continue spreading rumours of lockdown on social media and also forward the messages.
Assuring that there will be no lockdown, Mr. Fadnavis said, “The 20% supply of commercial gas cylinders has been raised to 40% supply and is going towards 50%.”
Commercial LPG supply in Maharashtra restored to half of pre‑crisis level
As per the Centre’s decision, the States have been allotted an additional 20% quota over the 20% previously granted and a subsequent 10% increase approved in earlier revisions. The total commercial LPG supply now stands at 50% of the level recorded before the disruption in availability.
The government has prioritised the supply of 5‑kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders for migrant workers. Restaurants, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing units, dairies, and government‑subsidised food centres are among the entities expected to benefit from the increased quota.
Published – March 28, 2026 01:06 am IST
