Ashok Kumar Singh started contributing to the family business at an age when many would have wanted to spend the entire day mingling with friends, playing with them and studying. Currently the president of the Jharkhand petroleum dealers’ Association, he has faced insurmountable challenges in making his mark, and yet came out with flying colours. A visionary, someone who believes in charity and a strong leader, Singh shared ups and downs of his life with The Pioneer.
Tell us about your journey so farIJ
I joined my father in running his petrol pump in Dhanbad at the age of 7. I studied in the Barwadda Middle School and High School in Kalyanpur. life was smooth until the day my father was killed by armed assailants in an attempted robbery at his petrol pump. I had to take charge of the business at just 11 years of age. At an age when kids spent their time in playgrounds, my work and education continued simultaneously. I studied in DAV Dhanbad and then joined PK Roy Memorial College for graduation. Though my professional journey started in 1973 I became a full-timer in 1978 and ventured into transport sector. Today I am chairman of Tanker Owner’s Association of Dhanbad. I became General Secretary of Coalfield Petroleum Dealer Association (CPDA) at the age of 25.
How has your tenure with the association been so farIJ
When the State Government increased the taxes, sales plummeted and so did pump owners’ revenue. We met in Jamshedpur to discuss the implications of increased tax on petrol and in that meeting I was asked to lead the association. We successfully convinced the Government to reduce the taxes. The greatest achievement was helping an oil company to set up a depot in Deoghar. The company was facing difficulty in addressing local issues so we intervened and helped in negotiations with locals. Today a terminal is being constructed there which, unlike the usual facilities, is based on oil pipeline. It should become operational by September 2013 and companies will benefit because of reduced dependence on transport. Another significant achievement is the association’s sponsorship of the volleyball matches in the National Games.
Tell us about your familyIJ
I have one daughter and one son. My daughter is studying engineering in Bangalore and son wants to be a doctor so he is preparing for competitive examinations. Your son is aspiring to be a doctor. Don’t you feel that he should join you in the businessIJ
My interest transcends my business. Providing medical help is the excellent way of serving people. I have put one condition to my son -- that if he becomes a doctor he will live and practice in Dhanbad and serve the people of Dhanbad. His mere presence will help me in running the business.
Any wish to contribute the society in a different wayIJ
I love to contribute to the society in whatever way possible. I have sponsored a cricket tournament named after my father in Dhanbad. There are very few world-class medical facilities in Jharkhand. I wish to create such a facility in Dhanbad, where people from other places can also come. Dhanbad is a place which has me given so much, so I want my contribution to be of such magnitude that it becomes a milestone in the history of Bihar and Jharkhand.
There have been accusations of adulteration in the fuel sold at retail outlets. Your response to this as the CPDA presidentIJ
We are in an era where consumer is the king, he is conscious about quality and quantity. The association is not authorised to inspect the quality or ascertain whether the fuel is adulterated or not. But most companies have a mechanism in place and third-party inspection is also done by the concerned authorities regularly. The oil marketing companies (OMC) too have started selling branded petrol products and there is a parameter defining these so as to provide good quality products. Also, petrol pumps are certified on quality and other services by an outside agency not associated with any OMC. If any petrol pump fails to meet the parameters, it is decertified and a report sent to the concerned OMC. So, I believe that adulteration is not an issue unlike earlier.
Petrol pumps have changed a lot in terms of technology. What more will be introduced in futureIJ
In the manual way of dispensing fuel, it was difficult to buy fuel at the denomination of your choice but now the computerized system dispenses petrol at the consumer-defined denomination. All outlets who sell more than 1.5 lakh liters will be automated in future. This will keep track of oil stored, supplied and any addition made in the existing pool. It will also address the issue of adulteration as the outlet owner becomes accountable for any surplus oil which is added to the tank without lifting it from the OMC.
Who is your source of inspirationIJ
I am a self-made man. My experience is my strength. I believe in working with utmost sincerity and do not rest until it is complete. My unwavering resolve is my source of inspiration.
Any hobbies, interestsIJ
I love sports, but a slipped-disc prevents me from active participation. I once met a senior official of an OMC at the Patna golf-course. He invited me to join him but I declined citing health problems. He motivated me saying it will not aggravate the problem. That was the first time I tried my hand at the golf clubs, and fell in love with the game. I have won the Servo Cup twice. Golf has filled a void in my life and today there is a mini golf-course in my house.
Any business tips to younger generation to succeedIJ
Work with honesty and absolute dedication. You need to be passionate about your work. Only then can you succeed and survive. Self analysis at the end of the day helps a lot.