Artificial fuel scarcity hits state
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 19 2014:
Artificial fuel scarcity has hit Manipur once again, even though the stocks of petrol, diesel, and SK oil have not yet decreased by even an inch.
Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Director of Consumer Affairs, Food and public distribution M.Yaiskul clarified that the closure of petrol pumps in Manipur valley since this afternoon is not due to shortage of fuel stock in the wake of Assam-Nagaland border clashes and the blockade called.
Following talks with officials of Indian Oil Corporation, M.Yaiskul said after drawing oil from the depot on Saturday last, there were two consecutive holidays on Sunday and Monday which led to shortage of oil at the pumps.
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Informing that most oil pumps have started transporting oil from the depot tonight, he said the petroleum fuel will be made available at the pumps as usual from tomorrow.
Appealing to the public not to be panic for fuel shortage, the FCS Director stated that at present the Chingmeirong Oil depot has stock of petrol sufficient for 22 days, diesel for 25 days and SK oil for 30 days.
He said 50 trucks from Imphal left for Khatkhati in Assam today to collect petroleum products.
In view of the ongoing blockade called by various organizations over the Assam-Nagaland border imbroglio, the trucks have been provided with hundreds of CRPF security personnel escorts, he added, while informing that 50 trucks loaded with oil will arrive here tomorrow.
In the wake of continuing blockade of Nagaland vehicles in Assam state, and considering its effects on the transporters of Manipur state, the DGP Manipur Syed Ahmad will hold a meeting with CRPF and IOC officials tomorrow at 11.30 am.
The meeting will also discuss the transportation of oil from Ramnagar in Silchar, if the situation along the Nagaland route is worsened.
As the CRPF is in charge of the security of Oil Tankers, the meeting will also dwell on additional CRPF security escorts on Imphal-Jiribam highway.
Although the issue of fuel to oil pumps by the depot has been somewhat minimized due to the situation, it will not create inconvenience to the public, M.Yaishkul assured, while appealing to the public not to indulge in bulk purchase of oil.
Meanwhile, around 1000 loaded trucks are still stranded at various places of Assam due to the blockade arising out of the border crises, according to reliable sources.