NEW DELHI: Indian state-run fuel retailers’ sale of petrol and diesel rose sharply in the first half of July from a year earlier, according to preliminary sales data, as lower monsoon rains boosted demand from farmers and motorists. Petrol sales rose 22. 9% year-on-year to 1. 64 million tonnes during July 1-15, compared with 1. 33 million tonnes in the same period last year. Diesel sales, which account for the largest share of fuel consumption in India, increased 20. 9% y/y to 3. 47 million tonnes. India lifts restrictions on sale of petrol, diesel from July 1 Jet fuel sales were broadly steady, rising 0. 7% y/y to 315, 400 tonnes. Liquefied petroleum gas sales fell 17. 5% y/y to 1. 15 million tonnes, the data showed.



