Imphal, September 01: The State's Weights and Measures Department has decided to launch a drive at all the oil pumps and depot to check the mass scale adulteration of petrol that has dealt a debilitating blow to vehicle owners and transporters.

Petrol spiked with kerosene and other fuels have made inroads into the fuel market of the State causing immense hardship amongst the vehicle owners.

Speaking to reporters today the Controller of Weights and Measures, L Gangte said that strict instructions have been received from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to check the large scale adulteration of petrol in the State.

The task to monitor the petrol pumps and depot was entrusted to the Weights and Measures Department by the State FCS Department, he said.

Mass adulteration of petrol with kerosene has deprived the people of the supply of kerosene, said Gangte.

As part of the measures to check mass adulteration a well trained Inspector of the Weight and Measures Department would be pressed into service at the Chingmeirong Oil Depot to inspect whether the petroleum marketing company seal on the oil tankers are intact or not.

If the seal is found not intact, then the oil tanker will not be allowed to unload its content at the oil depot.

The same will also be not allowed to unload its content at any of the oil pumps.

This effort will go a long way in checking the drivers from adulterating the fuel on the way, he added.

The underground stores of all oil pumps will also be equipped with pilfer proof seals to prevent pilferage.

The seal will be opened by Inspectors of Weights and Measures at the time of unloading fuel by the oil tankers and the seal will be closed once the tankers have unloaded its contents, informed Gangte.

The Inspector posted at the depot will first seal the tankers which are to unload its fuel at the oil pump.

The Depot Manager at Chingmeirong has been informed of the steps to be taken up by the Weights and Measures Department.

A meeting of all oil pump proprietors was held on August 30 and steps to check adulteration of petrol was discussed threadbare; further informed Gangte.

Ten Inspectors and 11 Assistant Inspectors will be pressed into service to check petrol adulteration.

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