Petrol pumps protest bomb threats, close sale

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 13: Vehemently denouncing the acts of serving exorbitant demands and placing bombs at petrol pumps, all petrol pumps of Indian Oil, Assam Oil and Bharat Petroleum located across the valley districts and adjoining areas closed their business today.
As announced earlier by the Manipur Petroleum Dealer Fraternity (MPDF), petrol pumps across the valley districts protested the act of serving monetary demands and placing a hand grenade at Ibudhou Pakhangba Filling Station, Keikol, Koirengei, Imphal East with a threatening note by suspending the day’s business.  
PCTC which is a major fuel filling station for civil and police officers, and Central forces remained closed today.
All petrol pumps along Tidim Road, Uripok, Ching-meirong, Dingku Road, Khurai, Khabeisoi, Singja-mei, Mayai Lambi and Bishnupur too remained closed.
Moreover, banners were put up at petrol pumps which read as “Strongly condemn bomb threats to petrol pumps”, “Let’s live together”, “Please, stop extremely exorbitant and unbearable donation/demands”, “Fuels are sold at rates fixed by the Government”, “We cannot sell beyond MRP to pay illegal taxes or demands”, “Don’t bankrupt petrol pump entrepreneurs” etc.
Most of the petrol pumps have been shut since Thursday except for some petrol pumps which were opened for a few hours on Friday evening after the President of India left the State.
On account of the closure of petrol pumps for three consecutive days, the State lost a substantial amount in revenue.
The average daily requirements of diesel and petrol in the State are 600 Kls and 450 Kls respectively.
The Value Added Tax (VAT) levied by the State Government on diesel is Rs 11.51 per litre. The State Government is also levying VAT of Rs 24.81 per litre on petrol.
On the average, the State Government has been earning revenues of around Rs two crore from VAT on diesel and Rs three crore through VAT levied on petrol.
As all the petrol pumps remained closed, people bought petrol and diesel from road side vendors. Near NRL oil pump, Khurai, petrol was sold at Rs 180 per litre.
At Khoyathong, near DM University gate, petrol was sold at Rs 150 per litre.