BARA, Nov 22: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control Division Office (DFTQCDO) along with Birgunj police has sealed four fuel stations of Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City for deceiving customers.
The sale and distribution of petrol and diesel has been banned in these four fuel stations after they were found cheating customers during a market inspection.
Amit Oil Store of ward-1 of Kalaiya, Bijay Oil Store of ward-13, Mohammad Oil Store and Shivashankar Traders of ward-14 have been sealed after the surprise market monitoring.
Shahshi Bhusan Kumar Yadav, chief of DFTQCDO confirmed that these four stations have been sealed following the inspection.
Two Valley-based petrol pumps sealed for cheating customers
During the inspection, it was found that Amit Oil had not examined its meter since 2014, cut off the electricity line of the pump and changed the electric charger of the pump.
The operators were found deceiving the customers by providing them less petrol or diesel for higher amount. When the inspection team reached the site, workers deliberately tried to connect all the equipment, which resulted in further complications.
Similarly, when the team instructed Bijay Oil store to fill 10 liters petrol, they found it short by 400 milliliters. Shivashankar Traders was also asked to do the same and it too fell short by 50 milliliters.
Likewise, 10 liters of petrol filled by Mohammad Oil Store were less by 40 milliliters.
These were the reasons why the four fuel stations were sealed after the inspection.
According to DFTQCDO chief Yadav, all these stations were found installing additional equipment to provide less fuel than the actual amount.
"As per the Standard Measurement Act 1998, we are allowed to take action against those fuel stations which distribute 10 liters of petrol by cheating 25 milliliters," said Chief Yadav.
As per the provision, if fuel stations are found deceiving the customers, they will be subjected to one year in prison and fined Rs 10,000.
Yadav further informed that the department has initiated the process to file cases against these fuel stations and jail the owners.
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