KNB News Desk
Baramulla 01 April (KNB): In a major violation of Petroleum rules, locals on Thursday alleged that a DC approved pump (DC Point) located at Warpora on Sopore-Bandipora road is misusing the license by supplying Petrol, Diesel to customers.
Several locals told news agency Kashmir News Bureau (KNB) that DC pump established at Warpora has been running as a retail outlet for several years but the authorities have not taken any actions against it.
Locals alleged that the DC point does not even have an explosive license and has been selling class A petroleum, which is highly inflammable.
They further claimed that no oil marketing company has given them dealership authorization.
As per the locals, the DC pump has completely been turned into a fully functional petrol pump as even a canopy has been recently constructed over it.
One of the locals, who wished to remain anonymous, alleged that the pump is running under hand in glove with local administration.
He said that despite violations of the laws, not following any petroleum rules, quality and quantity checks not taking place on time, and more importantly, it’s license has already expired; yet the concerned authority is not taking any actions against it, then what shall one think of it?
Regarding the issue, Kashmir News Bureau contacted the owner of this DC pump, Ashraf Khan, who alleged that there are several DC points in Kashmir working in the same manner.
We have to store around 25000 liters of petroleum and can’t keep them in barrels as that would be dangerous. Hence, we have created a little bit of proper space for it, he said.
He added, “if we are not allowed to keep it functional, obviously we’ll close it.”
Moreover, this is not the only case in Kashmir, as several DC pumps have been accused of the same and regarding which, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Andurang K. Pole issued an order on 10th of November 2020.
As per the order, it was observed that District Authorities are issuing licenses in terms of Petroleum Rules 2002, to the individual applicants for import and storage of petroleum products (MS & HSD).
It stated that these license holders are selling the petroleum products to the customers through self made retail outlets in contravention of petroleum Act/rules/ECA, 1955 and have setup petroleum pumps in the garb of the licenses in contrary to MS/HSD (Regulation of supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) order, 2005.
The Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Anantnag were further requested to depute the teams in their concerned areas to verify the facts that whether the license holders are complying the law/rules in vogue and if found any indulging in unauthorized sale of petroleum products through dispensing units, the action under rules 152 of Petroleum rules 2002 be taken.
Regarding the same, Khan told KNB that the order has been stayed and the matter is yet pending at the High Court.
Moreover, Kashmir News Bureau tried to contact Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla Bupinder Kumar, several times to take comments on the matter but he did not respond to our calls. (KNB)