Jaipur, May 20 -- Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday questioned the state government over reports of fuel rationing and shortages across Rajasthan, alleging that the public was being misled even as panic buying and long queues were being witnessed at petrol pumps in several districts. In a post on social media, Gehlot said visitors from Jodhpur who met him at his residence informed him that petrol pumps in the city were supplying petrol and diesel only in limited quantities, while many outlets had completely run dry. He claimed that commuters travelling from Jodhpur to Jaipur were being forced to refuel three to four times during the journey because pumps were allegedly refusing to provide fuel worth more than Rs.1,000 at a time. Gehlot also alleged that LPG cylinders were not being delivered for several days in many places. "The government is claiming there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG, but petrol pump owners are saying they have received verbal instructions to supply fuel only in limited quantities. That is why long queues are being seen at fuel stations," Gehlot said. Referring to media reports that nearly 40% of petrol pumps in Jodhpur had gone dry, the former chief minister said the government should tell the truth instead of misleading the public during a time of crisis. "This is a sensitive situation. The government should present facts before the public so people can prepare for any possible inconvenience and make alternative arrangements. Unverified information only creates rumours, confusion and chaos," he said. The remarks came amid reports of panic buying across several parts of Rajasthan after petroleum companies allegedly directed retail outlets to ration fuel supplies. Long queues and dry-outs were reported from Jaipur, Jodhpur, Chittorgarh and Bhilwara as consumers rushed to pumps fearing shortages. Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association president Sunil Bagai alleged that oil companies were deliberately disrupting supplies to retail pumps. "Reports of dry pumps are emerging from several parts of the state because supplies are unable to match the sudden rise in demand. Oil companies supply fuel to factories and mining units at lower rates, and now that prices have increased by Rs 20 per litre, buyers have shifted to petrol pumps, disturbing the entire supply system," Bagai said. Meanwhile, public sector oil companies denied any shortage of fuel in the state. Manoj Gupta, Executive Director and State Head of Indian Oil Corporation and state-level coordinator, said IndianOil, BPCL and HPCL were maintaining uninterrupted supplies of petrol, diesel and LPG across Rajasthan despite global uncertainties impacting the oil and gas sector. He said fuel dispensing operations were continuing normally across all outlets and adequate stocks of petroleum products were available throughout the supply chain. "The overall supply situation remains stable and under constant monitoring. Citizens are requested to continue normal purchasing behaviour and avoid unnecessary panic buying," Gupta said. Commenting on the issue, BJP state secretary Ekta Agarwal said the opposition was trying to create panic. "The entire world is facing the impact of rising crude oil prices, and it is not just India. The government is doing everything necessary despite the scarcity of resources," she said....