TDC questions Govt's deafening silence
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 26 2013 : The Transporters' and Drivers' Council (TDC) has questioned the inability of the State Government to provide fuel to the public in adequate quantity after a section of Imphal-Dimapur highway sank near Heritage village, Kohima and cut off the highway.

It also question ed the silence/inaction of the relevant Minister even as people have been facing acute shortage of fuel .

Speaking to media persons at their office today, TDC president H Ranjit said that IOC has been playing a game of oil shortage with the people of Manipur every now and then.

Now the people are facing a similar situation after a section of Imphal-Dimapur highway sank near Kohima forcing oil tankers to suspend their operation for the past 10 days or so.

Alleging that IOC is also involved in black marketing fuel, Ranjit asserted that IOC has been taking the people of Manipur for a ride very often by forcing the people to buy a litre of petrol at Rs 120/130 while the oil pumps remain shut for days.

Questioning the failure of of the Government and the Minister concerned to ask why IOC is monopolising fuel, Ranjit asked whether the Government should go by the dictates of IOC.

Vehicles lined up at PCTC at night time

Claiming that there is no problem in transporting fuel along Imphal-Jiribam highway, Ranjit appealed to the Government to issue permits for transporting fuel oils to 50 oil tankers of Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare organisation which is one of the constituent bodies of the TDC.

If the necessary permits are issued, the Manipur Truck Owners' Welfare Association would find new and mechanically fit oil tankers for shipping fuel to Manipur along Imphal-Jiribam highway.

He went on to claim that people would not face shortage of fuel when TDC is there provided the Government makes necessary arrangement.

Ranjit also sought immediate attention of the Chief Minister to their proposal.

IOC has been playing with the people of Manipur for too long.

It's time to destroy their monopoly over fuel oils.

Even if the Government remains silent, TDC would not remain mute in the interest of people.

He also reiterated that TDC still stands firm by its decision not to take Imphal-Dimapur highway.

In case of death or casualty to transporters/drivers operating on Imphal-Dimapur highway, truck owners should pay compensation of Rs five lakhs without fail, Ranjit asserted.

While the Government is unable to provide continuous supply of fuel oils, it is responding to the TDC proposal to issue permits for shipping fuel oils.

Unlike fuel oils, there is no shortage of trucks because FCI trucks are included in every convoy vehicles travelling along Imphal-Jiribam highway with escorts.

TDC would be constrained to stop transporting FCI rice from Jiribam godown if IOC continues to politicise petrol and diesel.

Reacting to PWD Additional Chief Engineer Temba's statement that Imphal-Jiribam highway was repaired by TDC with Rs 10 crores provided by the Government, Ranjit asserted that the concerned Minister ought to instruct his officials not to utter irrelevant and absurd statements in public.

It was TDC which brought stones and repaired the highway in October 2010 without any help from any quarter.

The Additional CE should clarify whom he meant when he said 'transporters' .

Claiming that there is no sign of the State Government repairing the highway, Ranjit said that TDC would pay Rs 20 crores by adding another Rs 10 crores to the amount which the Government said it spent in repairing Imphal-Jiribam highway in case the Government can give any evidence of repairing the highway.