Categorized allocation of fuel retail outlet to Kpi and Hengjang not acceptable say KIK, KSO
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, December 16 2018: The Kuki Inpi, Kangpokpi District and Kuki Students' Organization, Sadar Hills strongly opposed the alleged category allocation to Kangpokpi and Hengjang for expansion of fuel retail outlet and condemned the Ministry of Petroleum, Govt of India for the steps today.

With PSU oil marketing companies such as BPCL, HPCL and IOCL undertaking retail outlet (oil pump) network expansion across the Country in tandem with the increase in demand for petrol and diesel, four locations has been allocated to Kangpokpi district.

The four locations within Kangpokpi District are Hengbung on Imphal-Dimapur road, Saikul Town within 2 Km from Saikul PS towards Ekou, Hengjang village on Imphal-Dimapur road and Kangpokpi on NH-2 while Hengbung, Saikul and Hengjang are under Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Kangpokpi is under Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.

Decrying the concerned authority for categorizing Hengjang village and Kangpokpi in the category of OBC PH and SC, the Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi and KSO Sadar Hills vehemently condemned the Ministry of Petroleum for allotting such category to Hengjang and Kangpokpi and stated that it will not be acceptable to the people of Kangpokpi.

The Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi District and KSO Sadar Hills said that Hengjang village under Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Kangpokpi under Bharat Petroleurn Corporation Limited should also be categorized as ST (Schedule Tribe) in line with the other two locations, Hengbung and Saikul which are categorized as ST.

It said that if it was an error on the part of the concerned authority, they should rectify it before the last date of online application on December 24 but if it was done intentionally then the people of Kangpokpi will not tolerate it and the draw of lots will not be accepted.

It also said that Hill tribals should be given preference in the expansion of retail outlet (oil pump) network in hills and appealed the IOC's State Level Coordinator cum Deputy General Manager (Divisional Retail Sales) and other concerned authority to look into the matter for timely rectification in the larger interest of the people.

The Kuki Inpi and KSO also drew the attention of the concerned authority that the expansion of fuel retail outlet network shall be allocated in all Sub Divisional Headquarters and most importantly the concerned authority should take notice the absent of any fuel outlet, except the lone rural retail outlet at Kangpokpi, along the 130 Km Imphal-Tamenglong road.

Meanwhile, the KSO Sadar Hills cautioned the concerned authority that if the category allocated to Hengjang village and Kangpokpi are not rectified before the last date of online application, no bidders from other category shall be allowed in the four locations within Kangpokpi district and any issues arise out of it will be the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Petroleum, Govt of India and other concerned authority.

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