TDC blames IOC for fuel shortage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 31 2013: Alleging insincere disposition by the Indian oil Corporation (IOC) authorities for the general public enduring acute shortage of transport fuel and cooking gas, Transporters and drivers' Council (TDC) has insisted that the IOC owes an explanation to the people of Manipur why maximum number of fuel tankers are not being utilised to ship in petrol/diesel or LPG.

Noting severe inconveniences faced by the people due to fuel retail outlets unable to regularly provide petrol/diesel, Council president H Ranjit held IOC authorities responsible for the present crisis.

Speaking to newspersons at the Council's MG Avenue office today, Ranjit claimed that out of over 470-480 oil tankers at its disposal the IOC is presently pressing into service only about 100 tankers thereby creating shortage of transport fuel.

Queue outside petrol pump

As security escorts are being provided to transporters, including oil tankers, plying along the national highways the IOC utilising least number of oil and LPG carriers inspite of the crisis situation merits not only a clarification from IOC authorities but also a thorough investigation by the Government agencies, insisted the Council president.

Opining that there would no shortage of transport fuel and cooking gas if the IOC plies all the oil tankers at its disposal, he also questioned silence/inaction by the Minister on the matter.

Reacting against an IOC official's comment that only three fuel tankers arrived here through the Jiri-Imphal route recently, Ranjit said IOC authorities should be pulled up for a thorough explanation for defying the Government of Manipur's directives that all oil tankers stranded along the way due to sinking of the Imphal-Dimapur route at near Kohima take the Jiribam-Imphal road.

Dismissing the IOC official's claim, he further pointed out that several goods carriers, including 103 oil tankers which were rerouted and reached Jiribam left the sub-divisional headquarters on July 23 and reached here the same night.

Contrary to its fleet strength of nearly 500 only 98 oil tankers were among the vehicles that left for Jiribam on July 24, recounted the council president adding that 30 petrol, 19 diesel, 17 LPG and two kerosine loaded tankers arrived here on July 30 after their journey from Jiribam under security escort the previous day.

Questioning audacity of the IOC official that petroleum product transporters made only one trip in a fortnight's period during which security escorts were provided twice on the Imphal-Jiribam route, Ranjit demanded that IOC explain why all available tankers were not pressed into service taking into account hardships faced by the people.

Noting that neither the IOC nor the State Government had declared stock position at the Chingmeirong oil depot soon after the highway cave-in near Kohima, he also posed on some loaded oil tankers not unloading their contents even after reaching the said oil depot.

Opining that IOC's reluctance to ship in maximum quantity of transport fuel into the State might be on account of possible loss of about Rs 30-40,000 from the profit proceed due to plying on other routes and not on its normal route of Imphal-Dimapur national highway section, he construed that the IOC attitude clearly reflects lack of commitment and service owed to the people.

Suggesting that Government of Manipur also issue permit to 50-100 petroleum product carriers to transport petroleum products on the Imphal-Jiribam route and float a fresh tender for appointment of transport contractor(s) for which TDC will provide requisite number of vehicles/tankers, Ranjit also cautioned that continuous callousness on the prevailing situation by the Government will constrain the Council to take its own course of action.