Mokokchung, October 7 : A fuel dispenser at Ongpangkong Petrol Pump Co-operation Limited at Sungkomen Ward in Mokokchung was found to be tampered on Friday during official investigations. The depot was locked on October 6 by the district administration on alleged meter tampering.
Out of four fuel dispensers at the filling station, one of them was found that the seal-lock put inside the machine by the Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection Department of Mokokchung was tampered ‘without the knowledge of the department.’
The filling station was examined today by officials from the LM&CP department. Officials from the district administration, Mokokchung police, and Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (OKM) and some public members were present during the event.
LM&CP officials informed that the department places seals on metering units and pulsar assemblies. They added that the department checks the seals every month; the seals on the defaulting fuel dispenser were put a few months ago, it was informed.
They also informed that the seal was found intact during their routine checking during the previous month.
The LM&CP department’s Assistant Controller, Meyimeren informed that if the machine needed repairing, they (fuel station management) was expected to inform the department; after restoration, the department places the seals again after verifying the fuel dispenser mechanism.
The inspector of the department also commented that the two of the Z-type fuel dispensers were ‘very old’ and needed repairs. He added that worn-out fuel machines cause fluctuation in the metering unit. He suggested that two of the Z-type fuel dispensers be replaced.
Extra Assistant Commissioner R Daniel Angami, who was at the spot on behalf of the district administration informed that a report will be submitted to Mokokchung deputy commissioner, who will direct the competent agencies to investigate the case.
The OKM has also appealed to the district administration to lock the Ongpangkong Petrol Pump Co-operation Limited until the case is resolved. The organization also submitted a representation to the Mokokchung deputy commissioner. It read:
‘One of the machines, the meter reading was fluctuating, dispensing uneven quality of the oil.’
‘In another machine, the seal has been tampered/broken without the prior knowledge of the legal Metrology & Consumer Production Department, Mokokchung.’
‘One of the defective dispenser machines has been removed and replaced with a new one without the consent / knowledge of the Legal Metrology & Consumer protection department, Mokokchung.’
The organization has demanded that machines should be replaced immediately “since it is beyond repair.”
The group also demanded that the erring personal “who tampered the machine should be investigated and arrested at the earliest and should be deal justly and made public.”
Until, the case is resolved the petrol pump at Sungkomen ward should remain closed, it stated.
Mokokchung fuel issue tip of iceberg: ACAUT
The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) has implied to authorities in Mokokchung to delve deeper into the case of fuel dispenser-tampering in Mokokchung. The organization issued a press release on Friday calling the case just the tip.
“The fuel station at Sungkomen ward sealed for meter tampering by the district administration and police as per the complaint of OKM is just the tip of the ice-berg. If the police and the administration probe deeper, this particular fuel outlet is, as per complaints, selling adulterated fuel as well,” the ACAUT stated in the press release.
“The audacity to carry on with such illegal activities despite the recent exposure and awareness of fuel adulteration in Dimapur is an insult to the authorities and public of Nagaland. The concerned authorities are requested to ensure that the actual owner of the outlet, Rai Bahadur Chunilal & Sons, is booked and stringent action taken after observing all the formalities such as, sending the fuel samples for laboratory testing.”
The organization has also cautioned that besides sending the samples only to Guwahati, the same samples should also be sent to other accredited laboratories in Hyderabad or elsewhere as a precautionary measure. The IOC officials should also be summoned immediately to the site for inspection and verification, the organization stated.
“It’s very important that the district administration crack the RBC run fuel adulteration racket of Mokokchung. The SIT on fuel adulteration may also kindly expand its scope of investigation beyond Dimapur and probe the fuel outlets at Zunheboto and Tuensang where the worst quality fuel is openly sold to the more than aware district authorities and the hapless public as well,” it adde
