DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 23 (MExN): The Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Tinsukia Integrated Division conducted a workshop on ‘Dispensing Unit Sealing Mechanism at Retail Outlets’ for officials of Department of Legal Metrology in Dimapur on Friday, November 23. The objective of the seminar was to sensitise the officials on the importance of detecting malpractices at fuel retail outlets; while preventing tampering of oil vending machines or oil dispensing units by retailers, checking quality and maintaining quantity dispensed.
The seminar had in attendance Commissioner and Secretary, KT Sukhalu, IAS, who is also the Controller, Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection; General Manager (IOC) of North-East Integrated State Office (NEISO), Priyobash Dey alongwith other officials from he NEISO and state Legal Metrology department.
UD Gogoi, Manager (Retail Sales), NEISO was the resource person. The resource person demonstrated how dishonest retailers tamper with metering and totaliser units of a fuel vending machine; thereby, pinching off little amounts of fuel per litre. Gogoi further stated that Metrology officials must thoroughly check each dispensing unit, inside out, before giving the seal of approval. If not, there is every chance that dishonest retailers would manipulate with the metering mechanism and put the blame on IOC and Metrology officials when caught during mandatory checks.
Commissioner & Secretary, Sukhalu called for better coordination between IOC and Metrology officials, while creating public awareness on such kind of malpractices, keeping in mind the interest of the consumers. “If you officers are not aware of how these machines are sealed (to prevent manipulation) then you’re not helping the consumers.” Stating that the there have been complaints of Metrology officers being not sincere enough, he added that now it is upto the officials to take remedial steps. Further urging the officials to bring to the notice of the government and the IOC when malpractices are detected, Sukhalu added that Metrology officials should not assume the IOC and Legal Metrolgy as two different entities; rather the two must work in tandem while assisting each other.
