October petrol sales up 7%, diesel down 0.5%
New Delhi: Petrol sales rose 7% year-on-year in October as the festival season boosted travel and vehicle purchases. Diesel sales, however, slipped 0.5% after an unusually strong 6% jump in September, according to oil ministry data. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) sales increased 1.6% and cooking gas (LPG) sales rose 5.4%. For the April-October period, ATF and LPG sales were up 1% and 7%, respectively.
Diesel sales have increased 2.5% so far this fiscal, while petrol sales are up 6.8%. Diesel accounts for about 40% of India’s refined-fuel consumption by volume. Its extensive use in transportation, agriculture, mining, manufacturing and power generation makes it a broad indicator of economic activity.
