Retailers irked by change in OMCs fuel supply rules

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Fuel retailers have expressed discontent over the oil marketing companies (OMCs) supplying petrol and diesel by strictly adhering to an advance payment system.While the change in rulesis believed to havebeen causingsome time for the fuel tankers to arrive in cities and rural areas, it is claimed to have been aggravating the fuel crisis arising out of panic purchase by many consumers. President of Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Aqeel Abbas said earlier payment had to be made within few days after ordering a petrol/diesel tanker,"Many retailers were facing financial issues in the wake of changes in fuel supply rules. The problem is compounded due to rush at banks ahead of the ending of the financial year," he said.Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city has around 50 fuel outlets with some of them reducing their purchase of petrol and diesel due to an advance payment system. "Closure of such outlets further fuel rumours of shortage of fuel and in turn increase the panic purchase," Abbas said.