'Petrol Nil' sign board continues to adorn fuel outlets
ROs blame insufficient supply
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 23 2024: The Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity has come out with a clarification on closure of most petrol pumps or putting up the signboard 'petrol nil' .

The clarification came close on the heels of the Government's notification issued on August 21 which directed law enforcing agencies to take action against sale of petrol and diesel in black market and the second notification issued on August 22 which assured that there is enough stock of petrol and diesel in the State and further advised the public not to resort to panic buying.

IOCL's retail outlets have their own depot at Imphal and petrol/diesel are supplied to the ROs from Malom Oil Depot.

However, the daily supply from the Malom Oil Depot is not adequate enough to meet the demands of around 130 ROs operating in the valley districts, the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity said in a press release.

Even today, indents of only 36 ROs were honoured whereas indents of the rest of ROs were not executed.

Moreover, the supply is limited to 4 Kl to 8 Kl at the most per RO, it said.

ROs of BPC, HPCL and Nayara Energy have no oil depot of their own in the State.

As such, petrol and diesel are supplied from the NRL depot, Assam directly which is dependent on the convoy movement along NH-37 .

However, there is a severe shortage of supply, specially in August due to multiple landslides and economic blockades.

As a result, 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the BPCL, HPCL and Nayara Energy ROs are either completely dry or there is no petrol at these ROs as the demand for petrol is higher than that of diesel, it said.

The Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity then appealed to the public not to have any misconception on why petrol pumps are either closed or 'petrol nil' signboards have been put on display.

Opening or closure of ROs is dependent on supplies from outside the State and Malom Oil Depot, it added.

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