PCTC now opened for essential services
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 28 2020: PCTC (oil pump), Khoyathong has started providing fuels to public from 7 am to 12 noon everyday starting from today.

As a part of the several measures taken up by the State Government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, oil pumps have been shut since March 23 .

A few oil pumps provided petrol and diesel to public for one/two hour(s) between March 23 and March 27 .

However, most oil pumps remained closed as there was verbal instruction from the Government not to open them coupled with the fear that large crowds would gather at the oil pumps if they are opened.

PCTC now opened for essential services

One official of IOCL's Imphal Divisional Retail Sales Office clarified that the IOCL did nothing to keep oil pumps shut.

Even though the Government did not issue any official order which asked oil pumps to remain shut, the Government did ask verbally to keep oil pumps shut as it is essential to avoid large gathering of people in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nonetheless, it is expected that the Government would work out a proper system of opening oil pumps to public, said the source.

ROs have been waiting for the Government to work out a proper system or pattern of distributing fuels to public.

Oil pumps would open in accordance to the arrangement made by the Government, added the official.

It is reported that PCTC would now open everyday from 7 am to 12 noon and provide fuels to people working in essential service sectors including media persons.

The CAF&PD Director issued an order to this effect yesterday.

As per the order, fuels were distributed from 7 am to 12 noon today.

On the other hand, neighbouring Nagaland has worked out an arrangement under which oil pumps are opened to public every alternate day.

Although the lockdown announced by the State Government and the Central Government has severely restricted and virtually immobilised every sectors and service, many essential commodities and services have been exempted and these include petrol, diesel and LPG.