Domestic fuel consumption jumps 12% in October

India's fuel consumption rose 12 percent in October, the highest growth rate
this financial year, on the back of a surge in demand for auto fuels petrol
and diesel.

Fuel consumption rose 12 per cent to 11.058 million tonnes in October,
against 9.872 million tonnes a year ago, according to the data available
from the petroleum ministry.

The surge was led by a smart 12.5 per cent growth in demand of diesel, at
4.768 million tonnes. Diesel is the most consumed fuel in the country.

Petrol sales soared 18.6per cent, to 1.11 million tonnes, while liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) demand increased 10.1 per cent to 1.095 million tonnes.

The robust increase in fuel consumption in October comes on the back of a
near-flat growth rate in the previous month. Fuel demand had risen 0.8 per
cent in September, to 10.69 million tonnes.

Private firms, notably Essar Oil, recorded impressive 57.1 per cent growth
in petroleum product sales at 1.2 million tonnes, while the sales of public
sector companies increased 8.2 per cent to 9.855 million tonnes.

Business Standard & Press Trust of India, New Delhi, 21 November 2009