Fuel outlets, traders feasting on economic blockade
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: August 10, 2022 -
RATHER than warning cancellation of trade licence if any fuel pump retail outlet having adequate stock does not deliver service to the public, Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution (CAF&PD) minister Leishangthem Susindro should have taken prompt punitive action as closure of many fuel pumps in and around Imphal areas within 2-3 days after ATSUM called for economic blockade was clear evidence of these outlets taking undue advantage of the people's hardships.
The minister must have perceived it wise to caution that suspending sale of transport fuel despite having adequate stock of petrol and diesel will have the licenses revoked but it would have been more effective to deter unfair trade practice had department personnel been despatched to carry out surprise spot checking and pulled up the wrongdoers.
As it is hard to believe that the fuel outlets would run out stock within short duration for all these outlets have huge underground storage facility.
As such, ceasing public service tantamount to proprietors of these deceitful outlets nonchalantly encouraging and aiding the agitators and compounding the problem of the masses.
Barring few outlets in and around the capital city, which wouldn't take the risk of confronting the government authorities, it has been common for fuel retailers in the outskirts to down shutters an put up 'stock nil' notices whenever any agitation disrupts the normal supply chain.
Such unethical trade practices are not confined to the fuel outlets only but the wholesalers too hike prices of essential items, which had been stock well before disruption was caused to transportation of goods.
As such while it is comforting to hear minister Susindro informing about availability of adequate stock of fuel, ATF, rice and other essential items in the state, his appeal to the people not to resort to panic buying but purchase only the items they need implies that the blockade has been impacting the state.
Thus, the public can't be blamed if they feel that the situation might worsen as they had experienced multiple times the stressful effect of imposition of lengthy economic blockade and fully aware that the traders hoard the goods and sell them at higher rates.
With the state, as per the minister's statement, officially having petrol stock for 16 days, diesel would last 31 days, ATF for 14 days and rice and other edibles for more than 15 days, it is obvious that public wouldn't accord much importance to assurances given by the government authorities other than ensuring that they maintain adequate stock of essential items.
More importantly, the state authorities cannot remain indifferent to the evolving situation arising out of the blockade and growing sense of animosity among the native people who are settling in same place but have sharply different ideologies and political ambitions. Pending resolution to the blockade/ADC Bill issue, it is desired that minister Susindro directs officials concerned to not only keep a tab on fuel outlets and initiate action against the recalcitrant ones but also constitute teams of department personnel to keep check on traders of other essential goods so as to prevent arbitrary hiking of prices.
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