Petrol pumps to remain shut on December 13
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 10: All petrol pumps in the valley and its peripheries will be shut on December 13, Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity has said.
This, after a hand grenade was found inside the toilet complex of Ibudhou Pakhangba Filling Station at Keikol, Koirengei Road, Imphal East on December 6.
The hand grenade was found along with "a letter threatening dire consequences in future if demand is not met," said the petroleum dealers fraternity in a statement.
The dealers fraternity said it considers the act a serious matter which requires utmost deliberation for the safety of the members of the public who visit petrol pumps daily, and the petrol pump dealers who have been facing multiple threats to their staff of kidnapping and extortion from time to time.
While a decision has been taken to shut all petrol pumps on December 13, it has also been unanimously resolved by all dealers that any similar bomb threats and extreme monetary demands will lead to indefinite closure of petrol pumps collectively, it said.
As one of the main essential services, the pumps are opened day and night to serve the public as per the need/emergencies with the guidelines from the Government, it said.
Petroleum businesses are contributing to State revenue by collecting VAT taxes at the rate of Rs 19.56 INR for Petrol per litre (25%) and Rs 10.11 INR for DIESEL per litre (13.5%) from the public. Petrol pumps in Manipur State collectively contribute an amount of Rs 25-30 crores approx monthly (based on sales volumes) as VAT tax revenue to the State Government, said the dealers' fraternity.
Apart from providing employment, petrol pumps have been actively contributing to development works in their localities, it said.
Unlike other businesses which inflate prices to pay for illegal taxes/demands to sustain, petroleum dealers have no means to compensate for the illegal taxes/demands as the products are sold at a fixed Government rate, it added, appealing to the Government to "understand our depleted situation."
Petroleum products are a Government entity, and such threats not only affect the public, dealers but also the State, its revenue system and properties, it added.
"We're running our business in tight margin as there is a more than 50% reduction in sales due to the ongoing crisis in Manipur since 3rd May 2023," it said, urging the concerned individuals, groups not to stop making bomb threats and "unbearable demands".
IMPHAL, Dec 10: All petrol pumps in the valley and its peripheries will be shut on December 13, Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity has said.
This, after a hand grenade was found inside the toilet complex of Ibudhou Pakhangba Filling Station at Keikol, Koirengei Road, Imphal East on December 6.
The hand grenade was found along with "a letter threatening dire consequences in future if demand is not met," said the petroleum dealers fraternity in a statement.
The dealers fraternity said it considers the act a serious matter which requires utmost deliberation for the safety of the members of the public who visit petrol pumps daily, and the petrol pump dealers who have been facing multiple threats to their staff of kidnapping and extortion from time to time.
While a decision has been taken to shut all petrol pumps on December 13, it has also been unanimously resolved by all dealers that any similar bomb threats and extreme monetary demands will lead to indefinite closure of petrol pumps collectively, it said.
As one of the main essential services, the pumps are opened day and night to serve the public as per the need/emergencies with the guidelines from the Government, it said.
Petroleum businesses are contributing to State revenue by collecting VAT taxes at the rate of Rs 19.56 INR for Petrol per litre (25%) and Rs 10.11 INR for DIESEL per litre (13.5%) from the public. Petrol pumps in Manipur State collectively contribute an amount of Rs 25-30 crores approx monthly (based on sales volumes) as VAT tax revenue to the State Government, said the dealers' fraternity.
Apart from providing employment, petrol pumps have been actively contributing to development works in their localities, it said.
Unlike other businesses which inflate prices to pay for illegal taxes/demands to sustain, petroleum dealers have no means to compensate for the illegal taxes/demands as the products are sold at a fixed Government rate, it added, appealing to the Government to "understand our depleted situation."
Petroleum products are a Government entity, and such threats not only affect the public, dealers but also the State, its revenue system and properties, it added.
"We're running our business in tight margin as there is a more than 50% reduction in sales due to the ongoing crisis in Manipur since 3rd May 2023," it said, urging the concerned individuals, groups not to stop making bomb threats and "unbearable demands".