Petrol for 17 days in stock Minister denounces panic buying
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 20, 2012:
Minister of Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution Moirangthem Okendro has appealed to the general public not to go for 'panic buying' of petrol from fuel stations since there is enough stock of petrol which would last for another 17 days.
Addressing media persons at his office chamber at Imphal Secretariat here today, Minister Okendro said that bandh supporters in Senapati pelted stones on oil tankers coming from Guwahati to Imphal on August 16.In the process, 82 oil tankers out of the total of 119 suffered damage.
The incident also left a number of drivers and handymen injured.
Since then All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (AMPTDU) and All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Transporter Association have stopped transportation of fuel to the state.
It has become a major hurdle to make available fuel for 24-hour with people queuing up at oil pumps and buying as much fuel as possible soon after news of blockade is received.
The Minister maintained that the public should not worry over scarcity of fuel because there is enough stock of it.
At present there is stock of petrol for 17 days, diesel for 20 days and another 65 days for other food items.
The state Government is also taking up other steps to ensure non-stop supply of essential commodities, he assured.
The Minister further informed that the state Cabinet has decided to pay compensation to the damaged vehicles and the injured by deducting necessary amount from NREGS fund of Senapati following the violent incident in Senapati district.
The decision was taken on August 18 last.
The Minister also informed that the Government is making all out efforts to start home delivery of cooking LPG gas by September and to streamline all the items of Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state.
All Manipur Petroleum Transporters and Drivers Union (AMPTDU) President Bhupendra Bose and IOC State Level Coordinator K Ibohal were also present during the press conference.