Mokokchung, February 3: Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) today submitted a representation to the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung informing him there were reports that “retail filling stations in Mokokchung Town are selling adulterated petrol, diesel and engine oil and are practicing meter rigging.” MTLT in the letter said that the matter was of serious concern “if true” and added that the MTLT was “constrained to impress upon your authority to urgently look into the matter.”
It may be recalled that an irate mob vandalized a petrol filling station at Mokokchung’s Sungkomen Ward on January 30 evening after some customers reportedly detected that the petrol sold at the said filling station was allegedly adulterated. The situation could have turned ugly had MTLT leaders not persuaded the mob to maintain calm, for which the district administration and police courteously expressed appreciation for “the initiative taken and role played by MTLT in controlling the unruly elements.” The mob was pacified after MTLT assured them that it will pursue the matter with the appropriate authority for due course of action.
The representation submitted by MTLT today, which was appended by its president Imkongsanen Imchen, stated that it was expected of the government to ensure that provisions of the “Consumers Rights Act” are implemented in letter and in spirit.
Further, MTLT in the representation to the Deputy Commissioner also made six appeals to be implemented in public interest with regard to sale of petrol, diesel and engine oil in Mokokchung.
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 for 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.
