Nagpur: Following a notification from the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and a subsequent state government order to curb hoarding and illegal sale of diesel, the Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers Association (FAMPEDA) has clarified that petrol pumps will supply diesel only in Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)-approved containers or cans.
Impact on Consumers
Speaking to TOI, FAMPEDA President Amit Gupta said petrol pumps cannot sell diesel in ordinary cans, even to hospitals, hotels, or farmers, as any violation could invite action against the petrol pump owner.
"As per the notification, diesel can only be provided in PESO-approved cans or containers. Currently, very few institutes have PESO-approved cans. The PESO website has a list of companies making these cans. But these companies don't have enough stock as they hardly had any buyers till now," said Gupta.
Emergency Services Affected
Gupta mentioned that he will be meeting officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department and if they provide some relaxation, diesel could be supplied for emergency services in other cans. With PESO-approved cans not available in the market, hospitals are finding it difficult to maintain sufficient diesel stock for running generators in case of power outage.
Farmers are also worried as tractors play a key role in pre-sowing activities like tilling. The Nagpur Residential Hotels Association (NRHA) has written to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, claiming that hotels in Nagpur are facing difficulties in procuring diesel for generator sets.
Seeking Temporary Relief
"The petrol pump staff are asking us to bring a letter from the collector office for getting diesel supply," said NRHA President Tejinder Singh Renu. The association has urged the government to grant temporary relaxation.
