IOCL office relocation from state 'imminent'
State will face huge difficulties if divisional office is shifted: Assn
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 24 2021: In connection with some measures taken up by the central government, preparations are underway to shift the Divisional Office of Indian Oil Corporation, located at BT Road, Imphal to Tezpur in Assam.

According to the decision taken by the Indian Oil Assam Oil Division (IOAOD) management, the Divisional office at Imphal will be shifted to Assam and operated from the new location.

At present, there are four Divisional Offices in the north east, three of which are in Assam and one in Imphal.

However, process is underway to shift the Imphal Divisional office to Tezpur.

In this regard, All Manipur IOCL Retail Outlet Dealers' Association submitted an ultimatum to CM N Biren on Friday, cautioning of launching intense agitations if the decision to relocate the Divisional Office from Imphal is not withdrawn by December 31.The Association reminded the CM that if the Divisional Office were to be shifted from the state, where bandh and blockades are frequent and condition of roads poor, Manipur would suffer more difficulties.

The decision by the management of Indian Oil Assam Corporation to shift the Divisional Office is being led by a state level coordinator.

The retail outlet dealers in the state are operating under this coordinator and the divisional office plays a key role in smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products.

The Imphal Divisional Office previously looked after the activities in Barak Valley, Nagaland, NC Hills, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram.

At that time, there were a total of 100 retail outlets in the six places mentioned above.

In 1997, the jurisdiction of the Imphal Divisional Office was reduced to only Nagaland and Manipur with 60 outlets under its supervision.

The office was then renamed as Imphal Divisional Retail Sales Office in 2008 and supervised around 70 retail outlets.

However, at present, the Imphal Divisional Retail Sales Office is looking after 127 retail outlets.

Manipur is a state plagued with frequent bandh and blockades and bad road conditions due to natural causes.

Thus, the shifting of Imphal Divisional Office will not only lead to shortage of petroleum products in the state, but also pending of works relating to the Divisional Office, as one would have to set aside time to travel to another state.

In addition, it would lead to more expense and shortage of manpower.

The situation will be troublesome as the Covid-19 pandemic is yet to subside.

The decision taken by the management of IOAOD is unfortunate and not in consideration of the inconveniences that will be faced by the dealers or the difficulties of the people.

On top of this, the state level coordinator is the only point of contact with the state government and also the main point of contact on any petroleum-related issue of the state.

If the Divisional Office were to be shifted, it would also impact the state government.

Thus, the Association cautioned the CM of launching intense agitation if the IOAOD fails to withdraw its decision of shifting the office by December 31 .

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