Cheating at petrol bunks

Even as petrol prices are going up on a weekly basis, short-filling and adulteration are rampant at filling stations in the city. With all oil marketing companies virtually disowning responsibility for the quality of fuel supplied by retail outlets and with the state authorities acting only on specific complaints, consumers of petrol and diesel are invariably taken for a ride at many of the filling stations. For the filling stations, manipulation of even a few drops of fuel per customer translates to lakhs of rupees in ill-gotten profits every month; while adulteration en route fetches moolah for several others in the supply chain.

Sudheer kumar happened to get his tank filled at a station in Amberbet. The capacity of his i10 petrol car is 35 litres.

Sudheer Kumar was shocked when he was given a bill for 38 litres. That too when the tank had some left-over. He approached the Legal Metrology Dept and the department sealed the pump and enquiry is being conducted. This happened three weeks ago.

Neha Agarwal was filling petrol from various fuel stations, but she found her Maruti giving very less average. She got her engine checked, but Maruti certified the engine has no leaks. She then started filling fuel from the Civil Supplies Dept petrol pump near the Secretariat and she has had no complaints about the mileage of her Maruti since then.

K Bhasker, assistant controller of flying squad, weights and measures, says, “We do receive complaints of shortfall and we rush to the pumps. Fuel is expensive and consumers are aware of their rights. In one petrol pump at Goshamahal, the owner was manipulating 100 ml for 5 litres and we filed a case against him.”

Ravi Babu, director, Civil Supplies, explains, “Adulteration and incorrect reading are the major evils. We keep tabs on filling stations and certification is a must. Adulteration of various kinds is possible, though usually they mix kerosene. Even drops of manipulation, considering the ever-increasing fuel charges, means profits in lakhs for owners of filling stations and we are being vigilant. We do collect samples from various petrol pumps on an ad hoc basis and send them to the Forensic Science Laboratory. If they are found to be adulterated, legal action is initiated against the pump.”

Fuel adulteration is rampant in India, according to an expose by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The problem is compounded by the indifference of government authorities and oil companies. The CSE cites that fuel adulteration is an easy and lucrative business. There are enticing gaps in the price of fuel. A skewed policy that imposes lower taxes on imported kerosene makes it a cheap and easy diesel adulterant.

According to a press note issued recently by CSE, oil companies are not accountable for the quality of fuel at the retail end. Accountability is broken across the fuel supply chain. When caught, it is the transporter or the retailer who is hauled up and not the oil company. Strict liability must be imposed on oil companies; for, they should take the ultimate responsibility for the quality of fuel they supply.

This is possible by ensuring independent inspections, testing and audit of retail outlets and public broadcast of the consequences of adulteration.

In the city, the Weights and Measures Department, in an attempt to protect consumers from being conned at petrol pumps, orders punishment and closure in case of tampering with the purity of the fuel.

The Legal Metrology Department has a few guidelines that are intended to protect the consumer

• Ask the attendant at the petrol pump to ensure zero reading before dispensing petrol

• Do not let anybody divert your attention

• In AP, every petrol pump is required to have a standard 5 litre-jar supplied by the Weights and Measures Dept. This jar could be used to verify the capacity.

• If you feel that fuel is adulterated, you can always check the density of the product using the filter paper hydrometer and thermometer at the outlet. It is the only method to ascertain the quality of a product.

Consumers can complain at the Helpline: 1860-425-3333 or send SMS to 94901-65619 or mail to [email protected]