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IMPHAL — The Manipur government is planning to deploy police and concerned officials at fuel outlets in and around Imphal to monitor the artificial scarcity of petrol in the state.
This was announced by Manipur's Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAF and PD) Minister, Leishangthem Susindro, while speaking to reporters in Imphal on Monday. The Director (CAF and PD), Roberson Ashem, was also present during the press briefing.
On average, the state requires about 298 kilolitres of petrol, the minister said. About 272 kilolitres of petrol was distributed to the outlets on August 25. Similarly, 325 kilolitres was distributed on August 24, 326 kilolitres on August 23, and 260 kilolitres on August 22, he added. Regarding the fuel supply, he mentioned that there is a shortage of LPG due to certain reasons.
Earlier, the demand for diesel was much higher than that for petrol. Now, petrol consumption in the state is higher than that of diesel, Susindro said, adding that the department will start issuing updates on the status of fuel distribution to the media to inform the public.
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There have been reports of petrol scarcity at fuel outlets in and around Imphal due to various factors over the past few days. Some outlets have even posted 'Petrol Nil' signs in front of their stations.
When enquired, the staff of a fuel outlet in Imphal claimed that they’re not getting their supply from the fuel depot in Imphal. But when contacted, the IOC officials informed that they are regularly distributing petrol to the outlets. The official also informed that there are about 170 fuel outlets, including other oil companies, in Manipur and more than 50 per cent are located in and around Imphal.
Panic buying and disturbances in the inflow of fuel supplies along the highway in Manipur due to landslides and other factors are the major reasons for the artificial scarcity of petrol, according to people familiar with the matter.