Imphal, September 26 2010: The existing acute scarcity of petroleum products in the state is likely to worsen if the All Manipur Petroleum Product Transporters Association (AMPPTA) decides to stop service if their demand for revision of the POL fare is not reviewed by the concerned authority.

Even after a week has passed since the lifting of the economic blockade imposed by UNC on the national highways petrol pumps in Imphal are not operating on a regular open sale basis.

Amidst this situation, AMPPTA today warned that if no positive response is received from the IOCL, NEISO, Guwahati, Assam with regard to revision of POL transportation rate in line with FCI approved rates, they will stop sending oil tankers under the association from October 1 .

The AMPPTA reiterates its stand to withdraw all their oil tankers from October 1 if no positive response is received from the concerned authorities even though it will cause considerable hardship to the general public in this critical juncture when there is an acute shortage of petroleum product in our state, a statement of the AMPPTA signed by its president Hijam Tikendrajit said today.

The association had submitted its last reminder for the increase of POL transportation rates to the General Manager in line with the FCI approved rates and which had been approved by the Manipur government.

Mention may be made that FCI had approved the transportation rate at Rs 35,360 for a distance of 269 km (538 RTKM) for transportation of foodgrains from Ramnagar (Silchar) to Imphal (Sangaiporou).

The contract agreement for transportation of POL into the state signed between the oil tankers and IOCL authority is due to expire on September 30 .

Members/transporters of AMPPTA will not accept or continue transportation of POL under the existing terms and conditions of IOCL which was negotiated at and approved three years back in August 2007.During these three years, cost of materials, maintenance costs and operational costs have shot up drastically, the last reminder of AMPPL submitted to the IOCL general manager submitted on September 24 pointed out.

On August 31, 2010 in a high level meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi and attended by a high level central team and representatives of MP&NG and IOCL, the IOCL officials were urged to expedite a revision of transport rates while informing that the FCI had already revised its fare rates.

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