Orders Krishnapremi Oil City and PCTC to open 24×7
IMPHAL, October 28: Two oil pumps have been ordered to remain open 24×7 from tomorrow to meet the fuel scarcity faced by the public. Concerned authorities have also been instructed to arrest those involved in black-marketeering and hoarding fuel.
The instruction came from the CAF & PD minister Moirangthem Okendro this evening after a meeting with authorities of Indian Oil Corporation and owners of oil pumps discussing the present fuel situation in the State.
The meeting was held at the minister’s office, sources said.
According to an order issued by the CAF & PD deputy secretary, hoarding of fuel and black-marketeering of fuel is punishable under the essential Commodities Act, 1980 and the district magistrates and the law enforcing agencies have been ordered to take necessary and stringent actions to prevent hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities including petroleum and petroleum products and book offenders punishable under the Act with immediate effect.
At the same time, Krishnapremi Oil City and PCTC have been ordered to remain open 24×7 in order to meet the demand of the public, informed sources.
Observing that hoarding up of petrol/diesel is also against the law, the minister asserted that the public need not worry about fuel scarcity as there is no inadequacy of stock in the IOC depot.
Reassuring that it is the government’s duty and responsibility to ensure availability of essential commodities in the State, he further declared that if the need arises, the government will provide dedicated escorts to bring in the essential commodities for the public.
Rewards have also been announced for anyone who informs the department of any stockpiling of fuel or black-marketeering on the consumer helpline no. 18003453821.
The State Chief Minister has already communicated with the Centre on the matter of the 1000 hour bandh at Karbi Anglong and appealed for intervention so that the supply line of the State is not interrupted due to the bandh and it is quite hopeful that the Centre will do the needful, he said.
Meanwhile, sources said that the IOC authorities during the meeting with the minister had assured that the IOC has sufficient stock at the moment.
The IOC authorities had also informed that several empty tankers have been escorted by the CRPF from Khatkhati yesterday, sources said.
During the meeting, the owners of retail outlets and oil pumps had also observed that it is quite unfortunate that long queues are witnessed in front of oil pumps whenever a blockade or bandh is announced.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/10/state-instructs-action-against-oil-blackmarketers-and-hoarders/