Govt to curb sale & distribution of fuel in bottles, containers
Food supplies and consumer welfare minister Krushna Chandra Patra said, "The existing legislation clearly stipulates that fuel stations are prohibited from dispensing loose petrol or diesel in portable containers to customers. We will be conducting extensive consultations with petroleum dealers and launching awareness campaigns to ensure strict compliance with the regulations."
The urgency was necessitated after the Balasore student reportedly purchased loose petrol and set herself ablaze on her college campus on July 12, an incident which sparked nationwide outrage.
Tanuja Tripathy, a women's rights activist, highlighted the widespread problem. "Numerous petrol stations across the state continue to flout regulations by selling fuel in plastic containers, while local grocery stores illegally stock and distribute these hazardous substances. Unauthorised sale and storage of petroleum products without proper licencing is a serious offence that demands immediate govt intervention and strict enforcement measures," she said.
Sanjay Lath, general secretary of the Utkal Petroleum Dealers' Association, stressed the inherent dangers of unrestricted fuel access. "We strongly endorse the govt's plan to eliminate the illegal sale of petroleum products through unauthorised channels. The highly inflammable products necessitate strict control over their distribution. All fuel stations have been sensitised to fill vehicle tanks directly instead of selling them in containers," Lath said.
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