What you must get at vends, besides petrol

All petrol pumps of the public sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have to adhere to the marketing discipline guidelines. They are supposed to provide certain services and amenities to the citizens FREE OF COST, according to a report published in Factly.in.

The last decade and a half has seen tremendous growth in the number of retail outlets, more commonly known as the petrol pumps across the country. The Oil Marketing Companies have formulated detailed ‘Marketing Discipline Guidelines (MDGs)’ to be followed by all the retail outlets of the OMCs.

The guidelines also specify penalties for non-adherence among other things. But what exactly are the services & amenities to be provided by the petrol pumps?

Services and amenities to be provided at petrol pumps:

• Quality product at correct quantity and correct price
• Availability of clean toilet
• Air facility during operating hours of the outlet
• Water is available
• First Aid Box with necessary medicinal aids
• Prompt service and courteous behaviour
• Suggestion/complaint book
• Message indicating availability of this book
• Working hours should be prominently displayed
• Holiday notices should be displayed well in time
• Availability of telephone facilities
• Display of name/contact number of dealer
• Adequately illuminated and clean
• Safety equipments at retail outlet

What happens if these are not adhered to?

In case of violations like overcharging, the following action would be initiated.

• Suspension of sales and supplies for 15 days for the first violation
• 30 days for the second violation
• Third violation would lead to termination of the dealership

The following penal action would be initiated if during an inspection the toilet is found to be not clean or water is not available or latch on the toilet door is not available/not working.

In the first instance Rs 10000/-, second instance Rs 20000/-, third instance Rs 25000/- and fourth instance onwards Rs 30000/- or 45% of the monthly dealer commission (based on average of last 6 months), whichever is higher. And suspension of sales and supplies for 7 days or rectification of the defect in toilet, whichever is later.

By:Rakesh Dubbudu