Andhra Pradesh

Petrol bunks fleecing customers

NICHE CLIENTELE: This petrol bunk in Hyderabad exclusively caters to users of extra premium fuel.

Sir,

This is in response to the article on ‘Branded fuels’ in The Hindu dated 24.06.08. I wish to bring it to the notice of concerned authorities that fuel companies are not only inducing customers to buy branded fuels, but now they are a step ahead in upgrading their petrol bunks to ‘only premium brands’.

Vehicle owners are compelled to buy branded fuel at higher cost, as normal petrol/diesel is not being sold here. I request that the officials concerned better wake up now and start taking stringent measures.

V. V. S. Prasad,

Malkajgiri

Sir,

It is correct that oil firms insist that motorists take branded fuel by putting up ‘no stock’ boards for normal unleaded fuel because there is a difference of Rs. 5 between branded and normal petrol. Before the hike in fuel prices, there use to be a difference of Rs 1 to Rs. 1.5. It is very difficult for a common man to afford it.

This seems to be a game plan of the oil companies to increase profits and there is no guarantee that the vehicle’s performance will increase. Last time when I gave the vehicle for servicing, the mechanic said that branded petrol was causing trouble in the carburettor.

The commissioner for civil supplies has ordered oil suppliers to supply normal petrol in the city. But only time will tell if they abide by the order.

M. V. Sreedhar,

Madhapur

Sir,

As an owner of Maruti 800, between 1997 and 2001 I was using "Josh Petrol" from IBP petrol Pump near Osmania University.

I sold the vehicle after 97,000 kms and the engine still delivered an excellent pick up and there was no complaint about mileage. Now, I use a Tata Indica diesel and fill Super Diesel or High speed diesel. Even after 65,000 kms I never had any major maintenance except for the routine ones.

Branded fuels have lesser carbon and sulphur contents which are definitely better fuels not only for our vehicles but also for the environment. The oil companies should create awareness about these low carbon and sulphur fuels. One can see the colour difference between normal diesel and a High speed diesel.

A. J. Sai Pradeep,

Tarnaka

Sir,

It is really a respite for all commuters after the instructions issued by Civil Supplies Commissioner, Poonam Malkondiah, to all the oil companies, to stop forcing the customers to buy only branded fuels.

But, commuters are not being forced in the city alone; this act of oil companies is rampant in small towns and villages near highways where there is only one petrol pump. Also, petrol pumps on highways force transporters to buy only branded diesel, who in turn increase transportation charges, having a direct repercussion on price of commodities.

With these practices, the target is common man who is directly affected.

Chandrasekhar,

via email

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