Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

State warns oil companies

HYDERABAD: Petroleum companies have assured the State government that they will not force petrol bunks to sell branded products alone.

The government sternly warned the oil companies at a meeting convened by Civil Supplies Commissioner Poonam Malakondaiah on Monday that they would be put under the scanner for a week to see if there were any more complaints from the public against them for insisting with the bunks to sell branded fuel alone.

Representatives of all the three oil companies -- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) -- assured the government that the consumers would have the option of purchasing petrol and diesel of their choice.

The companies would make available normal petrol and diesel at all the bunks, including those where only branded fuel was sold.

There were 20 bunks in the State Capital where branded fuel alone was being sold.

The meeting was held against the background of a written complaint filed by the petrol dealers association that the oil companies were asking them to sell only branded fuel.

It also took note of individual complaints lodged by consumers that the companies were fleecing them by making them purchase branded products in the name of fuel efficiency, better mileage and improved functioning of engine.

Ms. Malakondaiah told The Hindu later that the outcome of the meeting was positive. This was the third round of consultations with the companies since the controversy erupted. The consumers were shelling down an excess of Rs. 4 a litre on petrol and Rs. 2.45 a litre on diesel for buying branded products.

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