Mandi: Arindam Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, has stepped in to ease the concerns of the public facing a fuel shortage due to the ongoing truck operators’ strike. The news of depleting fuel reserves at petrol pumps led to a surge of people seeking fuel.
DC Mandi issued a directive to petrol pump owners, acknowledging the disruption caused by the strike in the supply line of petroleum products to Mandi District. This disruption has resulted in insufficient availability of fuel, raising the possibility of a shortage.
Arindam Choudhary, exercising powers under the Essential Commodities Act 1955, ordered all petrol pump operators in District Mandi to maintain a minimum reserve for emergency purposes based on their storage capacities.
Furthermore, the directive prohibits dealers from refilling more than 10 liters of fuel at a time without prior permission from the concerned SDM. It also restricts individuals from carrying fuel in containers and emphasizes priority for emergency vehicles.
Dealers are strictly prohibited from hoarding and black marketing of petrol and diesel during this period, with violations subject to legal consequences.
The DC set minimum reserve requirements for petrol pump operators based on their storage capacities to ensure an equitable distribution of fuel.
Arindam Choudhary’s intervention aims to address the immediate fuel shortage concerns and ensure a more controlled and equitable distribution of fuel across Mandi District.
