"BPCL retail outlets struggling"
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 11 2023:
Changes brought by the current conflict between Meiteis and Kukis in the State's oil market has threatened the presence of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in Manipur, said retail outlets.
Due to the drop in the company's share in Manipur's oil market, the retail outlets are failing, and as such, the All Manipur BPCL Dealers Cum Transporters Association has been dissolved, said the retail outlets.
The All Manipur BPCL Dealers Cum Transporters Association was run by 41 retail outlets.
Speaking to reporters, BPCL's retail outlets said the company's share in the oil market in Manipur is near zero at present.
BPCL used to possess 30 to 40 percent of the market share.
However, the market share has dropped significantly.
The company is facing near extinction in Manipur, they said.
BPCL retail outlets (petrol pumps) are opened only in namesake, they said.
When BPCL's share in the State's oil market was 30 percent to 40 percent, a tank load of petrol was sold in 3-4 days.
Now, selling a tank-load of petrol takes more than 20 days, they added.
BPCL has no oil depot in Manipur.
Each oil tanker travels more than 800 kilometres to bring oil to Manipur.
Due to the current conflict, retail outlets in the hills had closed shops early.
The BPCL retail outlets in the valley too have not performed well and are struggling to clear due EMIs on loans.
The retail outlets are on the verge of losing assets to the banks, they added.
Some retail outlets are open for only about 10 days in a month.
The retail outlets are unable to pay the salaries of the staff.
The retail outlets aren't able to support and extend aid during the conflict, they said.