Domestic Fuel Sales Recover As Lockdown Restrictions Ease In India

Gasoline sales during June 1-15 jumped 13 per centand diesel sales rose 12 per cent, compared with the same period last month.

Domestic fuel sales by refiners recovered in the first half of June, as India, the world's third-largest oil consumer started easing lockdown restrictions, though were still lower than year-ago levels, preliminary data showed on Wednesday. Gasoline sales during June 1-15 jumped 13 per cent and diesel sales rose 12 per cent, compared with the same period last month, data compiled by the state refiners showed. India's fuel demand in May slumped to its lowest since last August with a second COVID-19 wave stalling mobility and muting economic activity in the Asian country. However, the data showed that sales of gasoline fell 3.5 per cent and diesel declined 7.5 per cent in the first half of June, when compared with the same period last year.