India's Fuel Scarcity Claim: Fact Check Reveals Misinformation A social media post circulated recently claiming that India has only two days of fuel left, attributing the statement to Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The post included videos of crowds at petrol pumps and alleged clashes over fuel shortages, sparking panic among citizens. However, a fact-check investigation by Mathrubhumi clarified that the minister did not make such a statement. The claim originated amid global fuel supply disruptions caused by conflicts in the Middle East. On May 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to conserve energy, reduce non-essential travel, and prioritize home-based work. Despite these measures, misinformation about India's fuel reserves gained traction online. The post falsely asserted that the government had warned of a two-day fuel crisis, with the minister allegedly declaring the situation. Fact-checkers confirmed that no such statement was made by Puri. On May 12, the minister addressed fuel shortages, stating that India maintains approximately two months of stockpiled crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). He emphasized that the government is increasing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) production by 54,000 tons daily to ensure supply stability. The minister also condemned the spread of false narratives, calling them misleading and harmful. The viral post included two videos. The first showed crowds waiting at a petrol pump, while the second depicted confrontations at a fuel station. However, investigations revealed the videos were from April 22 and May 15, respectively.#prime_minister_narendra_modi #mathrubhumi #petroleum_minister_hardeep_singh_puri #lpg_vessel_simit #washington_district_of_maharashtra
