Dealers apprehensive about blended petrol plan in Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Greater Guwahati Unit (GGU) of the North East India Petroleum Dealers' Association (NEIPDA) has expressed apprehensions regarding the ramifications of a WhatsApp message circulated to the dealers by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), to the effect that from Monday onwards ethanol blended motor spirit will be given instead of normal motor spirit (petrol).

The association's president Rajiv Goswami informed the media that when ethanol blended motor spirit is decanted into any underground (UG) tank, any retention of water in the tank "will completely destroy the product." Goswami asked as to who will ensure that the UG tank and pipelines are leak proof so that no water can seep into the UG tank.

Goswami mentioned that a meeting was held with the Deputy Commissioner on June 8, 2021 wherein it was demanded by NEIPDA that a joint inspection team headed by an Executive Magistrate along with Supply Department officials, police, Legal Metrology and representative of NEIPDA be formed to inspect TOP, Bethkuchi run by IOAOD to know the availability of infrastructure and competent expertise for blending. NEIPDA had also called for an awareness campaign for the consumers regarding selling ethanol blended with petrol.

Goswami that in the greater interest of petrol consumers, oil manufacturing companies (OMCs) should ensure that UG tanks in retail outlets are clean along with being water-free and sludge-free. He also called for ensuring that UG tanks and pipelines are leak proof.

Significantly, Goswami demanded that colourful stickers be displayed prominently so that customers can understand that they are buying petrol mixed with ethanol, as sold by the OMC concerned. He further demanded that the OMCs give wide publicity to the fact of selling blended petrol, "so that the people of Assam may adequately be aware about the mixing of ethanol in petrol from the proposed date (January 10) with the same price of petrol and that they would purchase the product at their own risk."

Goswami stated that the OMCs should make the customers aware of the effect blended petrol would have on their vehicles, even advising them to clean the petrol tanks of their vehicles each time before decanting blended petrol.

Goswami demanded that the OMCs should take the responsibility of settlement of all damages claimed by customers who use blended petrol.

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