CAF&PD Dept orders POL dealers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 25 2019:
Reacting to reports of some POL (Petroleum oil and lubricants) dealers not maintaining adequate stock and resorting to arbitrary closing of sales to public even when pumpable stock is available, Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution Dept has ordered all dealers to utilise their maximum storage capacity and directed that tankage utilisation should not fall below 80%.Any deviation in case of placement of indent with IOCL and non-utilisation of maximum storage by the dealers will be viewed 'seriously' by the State Government and appropriate actions will be taken up against the dealer concerned, said an office memorandum of the department issued by Bobby Waikhom, Commissioner CAF&PD today.
'Frequent practice' by the dealers to keep stock below optimal capacity is unwarranted and hurts the interest of the public.
It is observed that dealers are not conducting normal sales to the public especially in times of law and order problems prevailing in the State or on anticipation of the same.
Closing of pumps while the stock is available amounts to hoarding of essential items and management of the retail outlets are liable for punitive action under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 and Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance Supplies of Essential Commodities Act 1980, said the department.