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India's diesel consumption in the first half of December recovered from the steep fall seen last month on transporters taking a Diwali break, but sales were still lower than last year, preliminary data of state-owned firms showed. Diesel consumption at 3.15 million tonne during December 1 to 15 was 0.7 per cent higher than 3.13 million tonne demand in the first half of November. The demand was 8.1 per cent lower than 3.43 million tonne consumption in December 1-15, 2022. Industry officials said the November dip in sales was largely on account of some truckers taking Diwali break to visit their homes. Diesel is India's most consumed fuel, accounting for almost 40 per cent of all petroleum product consumption. The transport sector accounts for 70 per cent of all diesel sales in the country. Petrol sales by three state-owned fuel retailers rose 0.7 per cent to 1.22 million tonne in the first fortnight of December on increased personal vehicle movement. Fuel consumption has been on a
Petrol and diesel consumption rose in October as festive spending reversed the initial decline in sales, buoying growth, preliminary data of state-owned firms showed on Wednesday. Auto fuel sales declined in the first half of October but rose sharply in the second compared to the year-ago priod, helping companies post a decided growth rate for the month. Petrol sales by three state-owned fuel retailers rose 3 per cent in October to 2.87 million tonnes while diesel consumption was up 5 per cent at 6.91 million tonnes. Consumption of petrol had fallen 9 per cent year-on-year in the first half of October and diesel sales by 3.2 per cent. But the start of Navratri/Durga Puja celebration helped reverse the trend. Last year, Durga Puja/Dussehra as well as Diwali fell in October. This year the festival season, when consumption picks up, started in the second half of October. Petrol consumption in the first half of October was 1.17 million tonnes and in the second half, it was 44 per cent