Transporter to take IOC to court
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 03, 2013:
Blaming Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) authorities for its alleged failure to ensure efficient transportation of fuel to the State.
Transporters and Drivers' Council (TDC) today declared that it would file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) at the Gauhati High Court against the IOC.
Speaking to newspersons at its MG Avenue office today, TDC president H Ranjit claimed that inadequate petrol and diesel provisions in various fuel outlets in the State has been one of the factors for the general public having to endure frequent hardships.
Stating that IOC authorities are not permitting tankers to off-load inspite of their arrival days back, Ranjit opined in case IOC allows prompt off-loading to further replenish the stock, problem of diesel petrol scarcity would not exist.
Regretting that fate of masses are being decided by a handful of IOC officials and asserting that IOC should not restrict fuel requirements of Manipur, the Council president questioned whether there is any specific limitation by the Government of India on fuel procurement by Manipur.
He also cited ineptness and policy short-sightedness of the IOC authorities for the people having to frequently endure fuel crisis and desired that the Chief Minister take the initiative to ensure steady flow of fuel into the State.
Further suggesting that Imphal-Jiribam route be utilised to transport fuel, Ranjit affirmed that TDC is prepared to pull IOC to the High Court on the charge of creating artificial fuel scarcity in the State.
With regard to slackness in the development of Imphal-Jiribam route, he strongly posed contention by BRO officials that road development works are being delayed due to untimely fund release by the Union Ministry concerned.
Pointing out that for years BRO authorities had never cited fund paucity as the reason for the lack of road development progress on the said national highway section, Ranjit opined that the recent BRO's claim on fund shortage is a deliberate attempt to sabotage the forthcoming BCIM Car rally.
Recommending stringent punitive action against the BRO by the Government of Manipur on the former's failure to maintain/develop the important road, he also accused BRO of intentionally delaying the work of intentionally delaying the project.
On transportation of FCI goods, Ranjit conceded that inspite of different transport agents assigned to ship in FCI items on the Dimapur-Imphal, Jiribam-Sangaiprou and Dimapur-Ukhrul sections, many eligible transporters are reluctant to partake at tender processes held in Dimapur as the commercial town of Nagaland are still dominated by antisocial elements.
To address the problem, it would be most appropriate if the Government of Manipur apprises FCI authorities for opening up a regional office here in the State, Ranjit mooted.