(Corrects to clarify time period in headline, earlier story corrected period in second paragaph to last month, not year)

NEW DELHI, June 16 (Reuters) - Domestic fuel sales by Indian state refiners recovered in the first half of June due to the easing of coronavirus lockdowns across the country but was still lower compared with last year, preliminary data showed on Wednesday.

Gasoline sales was 13% higher and diesel sales rose 12% over June 1-15, compared with the same period last month, data compiled by the state refiners showed. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Writing by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)