8 Petrol Pumps In Maharashtra Stripped Of License

Fuel marketing companies in Maharashtra have stripped eight petrol pumps of their licenses as they were found guilty of tampering with fuel dispensing machines. These petrol pumps are located in Mumbai, Nagpur, Satara and Nashik. In addition, three more petrol pumps in Pune are under the scanner and have already been served a showcause notice for the same.

Amitabh Gupta, controller, Legal Metrology Department, reportedly said, “The eight petrol pumps which have lost their licence for tampering with fuel machines will have new dealers… the petrol pumps will continue to operate, the oil companies are expected to appoint new dealers.”

The case of customers being cheated at petrol pumps came to light in May this year when a special task force from Uttar Pradesh police arrested two in Maharashtra for fraud. Several petrol pumps were found using remote-controlled electronic chips to manipulate fuel dispensing machines and duping customers by giving them less fuel for the money they paid. So far, about 33 people have been arrested in connection with the case.

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Food and civil supplies minister Girish Bapat told that since September, about 1,186 pumps have been checked for cases of tampering. Out of those, about 98 were found guilty. “From September 1, the state (Maharashtra) government has undertaken a drive to stop pilferage of petrol and diesel and to ensure that the system becomes transparent and efficient. Petrol pumps are being inspected to check… their hardware/software and also conduct their audit,” he added.

The All India Petrol Dealers Association has supported the move. Ali Daruwalla, spokesperson for the All India Petrol Dealers Association, reportedly said, “All the wrong-doers should be punished. We are strongly in favour of a transparent, honest and efficient system.”

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