More than eight years ago, the office of the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung had on February 6, 2014 issued an order directing all retailers of petroleum products in Mokokchung district a couple of directives with specific timeframes.
First, according to the order, all the retail filling stations were directed to install latest tamper proof pumps like multi product dispensers (MPDs) with in-built receipt printers in the dispensing unit itself. The order gave the retailers 90 days to comply.
Second, the order required all the filling stations to keep filter paper at the outlets for consumers to check if the fuel they were paying for was adulterated or not. Further, all petrol stations were required to display the name and contact details of the person in charge of consumer complaints in their respective company, for which 60 days’ time was given to comply.
On April 24, Mokokchung Times tried to verify whether the filling stations in Mokokchung were keeping the filter paper or not and it was found to be in the negative. Further, it was also discovered that the filling stations do not have the 5-liter capacity jar calibrated by the Legal Metrology Department, which is mandatory for the dealers to keep in their premises.
It may be mentioned here that the Yimyu Ward Council had on April 21 also written to the deputy commissioner on suspected oil meter tampering at a fuel retail outlet in Mokokchung.
Also read: Yimyu Ward Council write to DC on suspected meter tampering at NRL fuel station
It may also be recalled that the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem had on February 3 of 2014 shot a representation to the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung proposing six measures to be implemented in public interest. Reports of short delivery of fuel by retailers are common across India, defaulters of which are punished as per relevant sections of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.
To recap, MTLT suggested the following points to the deputy commissioner in 2014:
Firstly, MTLT appealed that all filling stations in Mokokchung must keep calibrated 5-litre measure certified and stamped by the Department of Legal Metrology for consumers to cross-check the quantity being dispensed by the pump.
Secondly, saying that petrol pumps have been found to tamper with meters of the dispensing machines and that there are also confirmed reports of petrol filling stations installing an electronic chip which ensures short delivery of petrol and diesel from the dispensing units, MTLT appealed that the Department of Legal Metrology must authenticate the quantity of fuel dispensed at these retail outlets by calibrating and sealing the dispensing pumps annually.
The third appeal read, “Ensure that all the retail filling stations install latest tamper-proof pumps like the multi-product dispensers (MPDs) with in-build receipt printers in the dispensing unit itself. The owners of petrol pumps may be instructed to install the same in a time-bound manner.”
MTLT also appealed to the Deputy Commissioner that all retail filling stations must keep filter paper hydrometer and thermometer at the outlets for consumers to check if the fuel they are paying for is adulterated or not.
Besides, MTLT requested adequate security measures to check pilferage by tanker drivers who are engaged to transport fuel from the oil company installations to the retail filling stations.
It was also requested that all petrol stations display the name and contact details of the person in charge of consumer complaints in the respective oil company the retailers are dealing with.