Oil pumps remain closed 18 hours a day
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 22 2012: In spite of the 'bold but hasty declaration' made by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAF & PD) Moirangthem Okendro on November 20 to make fuel available to the public round the clock through some fuel outlets on rotation basis, the designated fuel outlets remained closed for not less than 18 hours a day.

The system of providing of 24-hour fuel service to the people of the state was earlier assigned to Kusum Service Station, Palace Compound and Krishnapremi Oil City, Moirangkhom, some three months back.

However, when Minister Okendro made a surprise visit to Kusum Service Station on November 20 and found out various irregularities, the oil pump has been sealed with immediate effect.

Later, the Minister announced that 24-hour fuel service would be carried out at PCTC, Khuyathong and Tiddim Service Station, Sega Road.

When Hueiyen Lanpao went to check the supply of fuel through these two fuel outlets today, two days after the official announcement made by Minister M Okendro, it was found that both the fuel outlets have been closed down.

When contacted and sought the reasons for the closure, the staffs manning the two oil pumps maintained that the 24-hour fuel service was only a mere proclamation by the Minister and no processes have been taken to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to the public.

A staff of Tiddim Service Station told Hueiyen Lanpao that 12 kilolitres of petrol was acquired from the IOC yesterday.

After providing service to the public till midnight yesterday, only 3208 litres of petrol were left.

The remaining fuel was distributed to the public since early morning today and the entire stock ran out by at 9 am.

So, they have no option but to close down the fuel station.

The staff also pointed out that since allotment of fuel from the oil depot takes a lengthy process, acquiring of fuel to replenish the stock immediately is out of the question and at the same time, the state government has not provided any special arrangement for those oil pumps which have been pressed for ensuring fuel service round the clock.

Furthermore, the staff pointed out that running out of stock of 12 kilolitres of petrol, which otherwise would be able to meet demand for 4 days is due to 'panic buying' among the public.

The government should come out with certain strategies to stop this 'panic buying' .

Meanwhile, authorities of PCTC informed Hueiyen Lanpao that since the stock of fuel in the oil depot is running low, the system of 24-hour service cannot be put into reality.

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