After the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force unearthed the racket involved in short delivery of fuel at petrol stations in Lucknow. Narendra Mmodi government has said that all petrol pumps in Uttar Pradesh will be re-assessed.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force carried out raids at 11 petrol pumps on specific information regarding tampering with fuel calibration by use of electronic chips. Of these, electronic chips were found at 9 fuel stations, 3 of which belong to IOCL and the other 6 belong to BPCL.
STF has arrested twenty-three persons and seven petrol pumps seized in the Lucknow after it busted a state-wide racket of pump owners who were using remote-controlled electronic chip in their dispensing machines to dupe consumers.
During the probe it was revealed that the chips were manufactured in Kanpur and then taken to Delhi where they would attached with a remote and then installed in dispensing machines across the state to dupe consumers.
Taking the note of the incidents, the central and state governments have decided to hold a meeting in Lucknow in light of the raids, which would be chaired by the Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh and will be attended by representatives of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Oil Marketing Companies.
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that all fuel stations in Uttar Pradesh will be re-assessed by a team comprising of representatives from state’s Weight and Measures Department, Civil Supplies Department, Special Task Force and the Oil Marketing Company.
At the same time, random surprise checks will be conducted all across the country at fuel stations. The instructions to this effect have been given to all concerned.
Pradhan said that strict action will be taken against those found guilty of tampering with fuel calibration. He said that those dealers violating the Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDG) will also face strict action mounting to even termination of licences.
