Fuel allocation norms demystified
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 23 2011: Reacting to the news item under the caption, "Allocation norms of fuel tossed for a six" which appeared in the August 23 edition of this paper, the Directorate and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has sought to clarify certain points.

In a statement issued to the press today, the OSD of the department said that the 'so called norms, supply of petrols and diesels from Depot during crises period should be based on average sales report of the oil pump may not be true at all" .

The OSD said that approaching the crisis from the sales point of view and supplying the petroleum products to retail outlets on this basis may not be correct.

Instead certain factors need to be taken into consideration, said the OSD and added that the factors may include momentary psyche of the consumers/people, area of coverage of a pump and conveniences of public etc.

Asserting that the Government has been putting in its best effort to ensure equitable and fair distribution of petrol and diesel to the people, the OSD said that factors of area/region is considered while allocating fuel to retail outlets in order to avoid unnecessary concentration of consumers at a few retail outlets only.

Over crowding at a few retail outlets would lead to traffic congestion and other civic disturbances, said the OSD and added that non-cooperation of NRL and other non-IOC pumps during the crisis has made such factors more important.

Officials of CAF and PD are detailed at the retail outlets where fuel are to be sold to the public to monitor the sale, said.

To the allegations that non-conforming to the norms laid down by the IOC has led to fuel being siphoned off to the black market, the OSD observed that even in normal period, when the IOC itself takes care of the sale, allocation and distribution of fuel, black market has been flourishing.

This means that there might be other factors responsible for the burgeoning black market for fuel in the State, added the OSD.

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