Dealers urge uniform fuel allocation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 27 2024: With apparent reference to assurance given by the CAF&PD minister that there is sufficient stock of petroleum, Manipur Petroleum Dealers' Fraternity has called on the government for uniform allocation of fuel to all the 127 retail outlets in the state.

Addressing the media at Hotel Nirmala, Thangal Bazar on Tuesday, fraternity member Ng Mamta said that rationing fuel to only 45 outlets out of 127 will not resolve the fuel crisis, nor will it prevent panic buying or long queues in front of retail outlets.

During normal times, each retail outlet receives 12 KL of fuel, which is transported to them the same day.

However, in the current situation, even after requesting 12 KL, retail outlets are only receiving 8 KL, and that too after a delay of four days.

Mamta pointed out that the ground reality contradicts the minister's statement about adequate stock of transport fuel and urged for proper distribution if the supply is indeed sufficient.

Another fraternity member, N Jenson, clarified on issues regarding the sale of fuel in the black market, stating that retail outlets are not responsible for such activities.

He said that daily sale records of the retail outlets can be accessed from anywhere by the officials, and that the pump nozzle automatically locks once the allocated stock is depleted leaving no room for any extra sale.

He emphasised that retail outlets cannot verify if consumers purchasing fuel will resell it on the black market, and that the responsibility to control such activities lies with the government.

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