STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The North East India Petroleum Dealers' Association, Greater Guwahati Unit (NEIPDA-GGU) has submitted a letter to Kamrup Deputy Commissioner through the Deputy Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs asking for his intervention against the decision of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to 'forcefully' blend ethanol in fuel.
"Due to lack of public awareness, the OMCs have taken a certain significant decision which is detrimental to the life and safety of the consumers. We refer here to the recent move of the OMCs to forcefully implement their earlier decision of mixing ethanol with petrol," the NEIPDA alleged in the letter.
The Association alleged that the OMCs in general and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) in particular are taking advantage of the pandemic situation as they have forcefully implemented mixing of ethanol with petrol to the proportion of 10 per cent to 20 per cent i.e. 1,200 litres to 2,400 litres in 12,000 litres of petrol.
The NEIPDA has stated that the HPCL must take the District Administration in confidence and do publicity about blending ethanol in petrol. It underlined that petrol pumps across Greater Guwahati will stage a 24-hour strike on June 10 to oppose the OMCs decision.
"This blending of ethanol with petrol would result in reducing the mileage of vehicles. It may also give rise to a staring problem in the vehicles or hamper its proper and smooth running. Above all, the percentage of water in petrol will accordingly be high in both the underground tanks at the RO and also the tank of the vehicle exposing the dealer to public rage which would be a risk to their life and property," the letter stated.
The Association has urged the DC to instruct the OMCs especially HPCL not to implement the blending of ethanol in petrol now and the pros and cons may be discussed at length with all concerned after taking the District Administration and general public into confidence.
"In the event the OMCs force dealers to purchase and load ethanol-blended petrol, we hereby inform you that our association would have no other option but to stop buying and selling petrol till the matter is finally resolved," the NEIPDA added in the letter.