Induct our tankers demand raised
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 02 2022: Several RO dealers in Manipur staged a sit-in protest at the premises of Imphal Oil Agency at Sangakpham, demanding induction of its tanker trucks for transporting petroleum products as soon as possible.

The demand was addressed to Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) .

Reportedly, a meeting has been convened on November 8 to sort out the issue in the presence of Chief General Manager of IOCL while the RO dealers have cautioned of shutting down petrol pumps in Manipur if the meeting ends inconclusive.

During the protest demonstration organised by All Manipur IOCL Retail Outlet Dealers' Association, placards with inscriptions such as "Immediate Induction of Dealers' Tank Trucks" and "Issue Work Order" were displayed among others.

Induct our tankers demand raised

Speaking to media persons, advisor of the association, retired Chief Secretary O Nabakishore said that IOCL issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) in April 2021 which deals with transportation of petroleum products.

Saying that the EOI grants the RO dealers permission to transport petroleum products with its own tanker trucks, he added that many RO dealers bought trucks from companies such as Tata and Mahindra on loan and modified them as oil tankers.

Apart from this, the RO dealers were also made to pay insurance for explosives and weight and measurement to the Transport Department, Nabakishore maintained and added that the authority concerned, however, is not issuing any work order allowing RO dealers to transport petroleum products till date.

Further stating that the RO dealers taken together have been paying EMI amounting nearly Rs 30 lakh since the last one and a half year for purchasing trucks, the former Chief Secretary asked why the IOCL issued EOI in the first place if it could not be implemented.

"As per IOCL, the work order couldn't be issued as there is a case pending against them at the High Court," he said and questioned the motive for issuing EOI.

Appealing to the IOCL to issue the work order based on the transportation rate fixed by EOI issued in 2013, he urged the IOCL to bear the EMI cost if the demand couldn't be heeded.

A meeting will be convened on November 8 in the presence of Chief General Manager of IOCL to discuss the matter, he said and cautioned that they (the RO dealers) will stage different modes of agitation including shutting down of petrol pumps if the meeting ends without reaching any tangible results.