Cheating in petrol stations unabated

Consumers are being cheated by operators at petrol bunks. These bunks are supplying fuel in lower quanties, by up to 10 to 20 per cent. Despite the civil supplies authorities being aware of this, they are reluctant to take any action against the errant petrol bunks.

To protect myself from the cheating, I used to buy petrol in a standard fivelitre container and fill it in my car. My vehicle used to give the correct mileage when I did this. Of late, the government has banned filling of petrol in plastic cans.

This has come as a blessing in disguise for fuel station owners. Now, it became easier for them to cheat customers as the quantity supplied cannot be measured easily.

We are forced to believe that the petrol is delivered in the quantity that the meter indicates. In this regard, I have a few questions for the government: Petrol is freely sold in the open market and by road side vendors for an extra charges. How does the government plans to ensure that no untoward incident happens in the future with petrol purchased from these sellers? Is the government willing to protect the rights of consumers? Should they not get the right quantity of fuel at the right price? Is the government not aware that most petrol bunks hide in their unit, an electronic chip which allows lesser outflow of petrol than what is shown by the delivery unit? If a vehicle abruptly runs out of fuel while on the move, what is the solution? If a person wants petrol for a criminal act, is it impossible to take petrol from the vehicle?

The decision taken by the government was shortsighted while not considering repercussions. Instead, the order should be amended, making sale of petrol in plastic bottles by showing an ID proof, for which a cash bill should be generated.

The consumer’s endorsement should be produced to the authorities when needed. Let a better society prevail.