Diesel quota system
Dealers not amused
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 10: Under a new arrangement, the Divisional Retail Sales Office of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at Imphal has started distributing diesel fuel to the retail outlets on quota system since yesterday, giving a rude shock to many dealers.
According to a reliable source, since no official order had been issued in connection with the introduction of the quota system, many dealers who had gone to the office of the IOC’s Divisional Retail Sale yesterday to prepare challan for getting diesel had a rude shock when they were told that henceforth diesel would be distributed on quota system on the basis of the sale records of the corresponding months of the previous years to be furnished by the respective retail outlets. As a result many of the dealers had to return empty handed.
The dealers are of the opinion that introduction of the quota system on distribution of diesel would further aggravate the problem of fuel crisis in the State in view of various factors like the existing transport bottleneck, frequent occurrence of landslides along the only viable route -National Highway 39-during rainy season and the present arrangement of lifting oil only on three days per week with security escorts.
Talking to The Sangai Express, some of the dealers pointed out that introduction of the quota system would create a lot of problem in the State if the IOC is to provide diesel on quota system monthly on the basis of the quantity sold in the corresponding month of the previous year without taking into account the increase in the number of vehicles plying on the roads and the pace of the developmental works since then.
With instances of frequent imposition of bandhs and blockades in Manipur, the current arrangement of lifting oil only for three days in a week with security escorts is not enough to meet the demand of the people, they noted.
Implementation of quota system would also be impracticle from the fact that there were months in which the quantity of diesel sold last year was minimum as sufficient quantity had not been supplied, the dealers added.
When contacted in connection with introduction of quota system in distribution of diesel to the retail outlets by IOC since yesterday, FCS Minister Y Erabot categorically stated that he had no knowledge of such arrangements.
Furthermore, when The Sangai Express contacted State Level Co-ordinator of IOC and the Government of Manipur Bordoloi, he explained that no quota system has been introduced in the distribution of diesel oil in the State. It is only a temporary measure to put a control over the supply of diesel to make up for the oil supplied in excess from the stock of the depot following the recent heavy landslides in Nagaland which cut off the route for around 15 days.
Nonetheless, informed sources said that PCTC oil pump at Khuyathong had been provided only 48 kilolitre of diesel and 38 kilolitre of extra mile for a week out of its monthly quota worked out on the basis of its sale record in September last year.
