Bhilwara petrol pumps shut over inspection row

Bhilwara: Petrol pumps across Bhilwara district remained shut for three hours Monday after the Bhilwara Petrol Diesel Association called for a shutdown to protest action taken during a surprise inspection and what it termed indecent remarks against pump operators on social media.Petrol pump operators suspended work from 9 am to 12 pm, during which the sale of petroleum products remained halted. The operators also submitted a memorandum to the collector.Petroleum Dealers Association secretary Ashok Moondra said Sunday some petrol pumps in the district were subjected to surprise inspections. He alleged that the inspection procedure was not properly followed.Moondra claimed that during checking of a five-litre measure, a shortfall of 30 millilitres was reported without following the required verification process for variations between 21 ml and 30 ml. "If a calculation of 21 ml is entered in the machine, the meter directly shows 30 ml. This does not mean there was an actual shortfall of 30 ml," he said.He further stated that under legal metrology norms, a variation of up to 25 ml in 5 litres falls within the permissible limit and alleged that the inspection team failed to mention this appropriately in its remarks.In a meeting held before the shutdown, the association also decided that petrol pumps in the district would remain closed daily from 9 pm to 6 am. However, fuel would continue to be supplied to essential services such as ambulances, fire brigades and govt vehicles.The consumer dept conducted surprise inspections at several petrol pumps, including Om Shanti Filling Station, Santosh HP, Shri Shyam Indian Oil, Siddharth Filling Station and Jagdamba HP at Rupaheli Chauraha in the Gulabpura-Hurda area.Officials found Om Shanti Filling Station and Santosh HP Filling Station operating without displaying verification certificates, following which fines were imposed.At Shri Shyam Indian Oil, one petrol nozzle was allegedly found dispensing 30 ml less petrol per 5 litres. Officials said a total shortfall of around 45 litres of petrol, valued at approximately Rs 4,800, was detected. A fine was imposed, a case registered and sale from the concerned nozzle was stopped immediately.