Unavailability of mandatory facilities at fuel retail outlets for the customers has now come under the scanner of the Orissa High Court.
Admitting a PIl in this connection, a Division Bench headed by Justice Indrajit Mahanti has directed the Cuttack Collector to report after ascertaining whether the outlets are providing the facilities to the customers.
A retail outlet is not just a place to meet the fuel needs. Instead, as per the Marketing Discipline Guidelines for oil companies, the retail outlets must provide free air, first aid box, toilet and telephone facilities to the customers during the operating hours of the outlets.
“But most of the outlets in Cuttack city do not provide these facilities to the customers and when asked for these services, the outlet owners ignore them by taking lame excuses,” alleges advocate Pradeep Patnaik, who has petitioned the High Court through the PIl.
As per the oil companies’ guidelines, a retail outlet is supposed to provide water-coolers, convenience stores, snack bars, dhabas and restrooms, bathing and washing space for truckers, telephone facilities (PCO/STD), ATM, servicing and repair shops for the customers on payment basis.