Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 23 (ANI): Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Saturday said the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued strict directions to prevent stockpiling of petrol and diesel.

Bawankule also warned that collectors have been asked to take action against anyone creating artificial scarcity.

He said district officials are monitoring the situation closely and claimed that people of Maharashtra are supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Bawankule said, 'The Chief Minister has issued a strict order and has given information to everyone that no one will stockpile diesel and petrol... All collectors are on the field for this. All collectors have been told that if anyone creates unwanted scarcity anywhere, strict action should be taken against them. I believe that the people of Maharashtra are strongly supporting Prime Minister Modi's appeal.'

His remark comes amid a fresh hike in fuel prices across major cities, with petrol and diesel rates rising for the third time in less than 10 days due to global energy market volatility.

In Delhi, petrol rose by 87 paise to Rs 99.51 per litre from Rs 98.64, leaving it just 49 paise short of the Rs 100 mark. Diesel in the capital is up 91 paise to Rs 92.49 per litre from Rs 91.58.

The repeated hikes come amid a call for fuel conservation as the world faces an energy crisis amid the West Asia conflict, which led to a blockade in the significant maritime trade route, the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Bawankule also asserted that strict action will be taken under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against anyone found involved in cow slaughter or the illegal sale of cow meat ahead of the Eid al-Adha (Bakrid).

He said that religious observances and celebrations should be confined to private spaces and warned against any public slaughter or violation of the law during the festival period.

'... Anyone who slaughters a cow or cattle will not be spared. I can confidently tell you that we are keeping a close watch. All the SPs and collectors are checking this. What the Chief Minister has said is correct. MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) should be imposed, and MCOCA action should be taken,' he further said. (ANI)