Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 20 2010:
With reference to the news item published under the heading "Fuel shortage in Manipur" on October 19, CAF &PD (Planning) OSD N Meghachandra has clarified that the State Government did not 'interfere' in affairs of the IOC but monitored its activities in order to ensure that petroleum products did not get diverted or siphoned off.
Had IOC worked in a transparent and accountable manner, there would not have been problem of fuel shortage in Manipur as alleged by the SK Oil dealers' association.
The State Government has been telling IOC time and again to utilize maximum number of tankers for induction of petroleum products into Manipur.
Categorically stating that no quantity of SK Oil remain unaccounted, a press release issued by the OSD claimed that quantity of SK Oil sub-allocated to the OSD Pool have been distributed in a transparent and unaccountable manner.
There is record available for every issue and distribution of SK Oil from the said pool.
District wise sub-allocation of SK Oil for the month of September was made as per PDS norms and Memorandum No 15/1/2010-CAF&PD on September 3 .
Clause II of the said memorandum provides for facilitating the Government to monitor, not to prevent dealers from lifting SK Oil, the OSD clarified.
As the available stock of SK Oil in IOC depot, Chingmeirong is very meagre to meet the requirement of the State for the last many months, State Government had to monitor and issue release orders to facilitate equitable and fair distribution, Meghachandra added.