Fuel stock low, rationing starts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2010: With the stock of petrol and diesel in the oil depot at Chingmeirong depleting, after lifting of petroleum products from outside the State has been stopped following the economic blockade along the National Highways, the State Govt has decided to release only 4 kilolitres of fuel for three days to the pumps for distribution.

The arrangement has been put into effect from today.

An official source said that in connection with the step being taken up by the Government, the Under Secretary of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution issued an order yesterday.

The IOC depot at Chingmeirong deserted with no fuel

According to the order of the Government, with exception of PCTC and Govt Oil Depot, the rest of the petrol pumps would be provided only 4 kilolitres of fuel to last for three days.

As in the case of PCTC and Government Oil Depot, 12 kilolitres of fuel would be provided for distribution over the three day's period in consideration of the need of the Government.

However, information received from the Imphal Divisional office of the IOC here said that as issuing of fuel on part compartment basis is not safe, the head office of the IOC at Mumbai had imposed restriction.

In fact, issuing of fuel on part compartment system had been stopped all over India.

So in view of this restriction from the head office no challan could be made and supplying of fuel to all the oil pumps with exception to PCTC and Government oil depot has not been possible since yesterday.

In consideration of the problem of fuel shortage being faced in Manipur, efforts are on to prevail upon the head office for lifting the restriction, the source added.

Meanwhile, though many oil tankers have reportedly come to the IOC oil depot at Chingmeirong, all of them have to empty handed as no fuel had been provided today.

As of today, the existing stock of petrol in the oil depot at Chingmeirong is said to be for eight days while that if the diesel for nine days.

On the other hand, as posting and transfer of the staff of IOC is currently underway, there has been no one who can take the responsible at the Imphal Divisional office of the IOC as well as at its Chingmeirong oil depot.

After the earlier State Level Co-ordinator has been transferred, who would take over the charge too has not been cleared.

Inspite of the problem of fuel shortage, there has been no suggestion from the side of the State Government on what measures should be taken up for lifting the fuel, the source said.

As per the order issued by the Under Secretary of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution yesterday, petrol would be issued at the rate of 10 litres to four wheelers and 5 litres to two wheelers while diesel at the rate of 10 litres to four wheelers and 40 litres to Inter-District and Inter-State Service buses and trucks.

For commercial vehicles including Tata Magic and light vehicles like tractor and agricultural motor, 20 litres of diesel would be provided.

The order has also mentioned that the registration number of the vehicles should be noted down in all the oil pumps to ensure fuel is not issued unnecessarily.