'Complicit' tanker driver disallowed to offload fuel
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 28 2024: Amidst the inconveniences faced by the people in refuelling their vehicles and reports of sale of petrol in the black markets, a dispute broke when a petrol tanker tried to unload fuel at a retail outlet with 1,473 litres short.

The incident occurred on Wednesday at United Brothers Oil Agency, Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak.

The fuel tanker (MN 01 8418) driven by one Chongtham Shankar came to purportedly deliver 8,000 litres of fuel at the same outlet.

However, on realisation about shortage of the fuel compared to the specified quantity, the outlet operators disallowed delivery of the fuel.

Speaking in this regard, United Brothers Oil Agency manager Onil Karam informed that the delivery was scheduled Tuesday but deferred on the contention by the driver that the vehicle developed technical flaw and came in the early hours Wednesday.

However, as there were shortage of 1473 litres of petrol, they raised objection to unloading the fuel, he stated, while adding that another fuel tanker will deliver the fuel after consulting with the IOC.

Meanwhile, Manipur Petroleum Dealers' Fraternity convenor Prakash noted that there is an issue of scarcity of petrol and thriving black market of petrol in the state.

While expressing suspicion about attempt to deliver fuel to the retail outlet way short of the specified quantity of 1,437 litres, he said the driver's complicity could be construed as testimony of sale of petrol in the black market by certain individuals but retail outlets blamed for the same with malicious intent.

He also demanded that the government initiate probe into the matter and punish those involved.

The fuel tanker driver Shankar clarified that he detected leakage in the rear compartment of the tanker at Noney while coming towards Imphal along the Imphal-Jiri road and had to repair the same.

After checking of the two rear compartments at Malom oil depot, additional 120 litres were refilled to make up for the leaked fuel, but inadvertently overlooked the need to check the three inner compartments.

The driver further informed that he delivered 12 kilolitres of petrol to two different retail outlets in Imphal East on Tuesday.

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