In a move to provide better services to the customers, including offering pure and accurate fuel, the Maharashtra government has asked all major oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation limited (HPCl) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation limited (BPCl), to make immediate amendments - both in terms of technology and in terms of process to deliver accurate fuel to the dealers across the State. Controller of legal Metrology Department of the Maharashtra Government has issued letters to all oil firms, saying that they should look into the matter and act immediately.
“As we have seen very little progress towards the services to customers across the State, especially in delivering accurate and pure fuel to dealers and upgradation of technology, we have asked all oil companies to make requisite changes and amendments immediately. Action taken in this regard needs to be communicated to us at the earliest,” a senior State Government official told The Pioneer on Friday.
The State Government has shot the letter to all concerned oil companies on September 22, a copy of which is accessed by The Pioneer, saying that it has registered cases of short delivery as per enclosed list of depots. “In recent past, on complaints of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), we have registered cases of short delivery as per enclosed list of depots. This complaint will further lead to more criminal cases being initiated against the oil companies,” the official said.
When contacted to one of the oil majors, an IOC spokesperson from Mumbai confirmed the development and reacting to the Government’s letter, she said, “Yes, we are aware of that letter, but as far as Indian Oil is concerned, we always act proactively and provide better services to our customers and dealers in the State. We will definitely look into the matter if any thing has been a lapse by us in this regard.”
In fact, the MSRTC has made a complaints regarding shortage of fuel reported in their various depots in Maharashtra. This shortage is apparently being attributed to tank behaviour, seepage and other similar defects in the underground tanks. “A meeting regarding this was conducted with the representatives of oil companies and the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of MSRTC in which this was discussed,” said an official statement issued by the Government.
This loss made to the State Government is mainly because of non calibration of underground tanks, outdated technology used in dispensing units, and use of approximate measures for measuring fuel in the tankers, according to the statement.
“We had several meetings with oil companies and in spite of that we have seen very little progress towards upgradation of technology, calibration of underground tanks and installations of proper measuring instruments (flow meters) on tankers or retail outlets,” the official added.