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Bengaluru: Karnataka authorities found fuel measurement accuracy issues at 768 of the 805 petrol pumps inspected during a recent eight-day enforcement drive, with cases registered against 101 outlets where discrepancies exceeded the permissible limit, according to details announced by the state government.
Addressing a press conference at Vikas Soudha, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Rizwan Arshad said the inspections were undertaken amid concerns over whether consumers were receiving the correct quantity of petrol and diesel at retail outlets.
According to the figures presented at the press conference, Karnataka has 5,946 operational petrol and diesel pumps. Of these, 805 major outlets were inspected over the past eight days.
The minister said measurement accuracy issues were detected at 768 of the 805 petrol pumps inspected.
Cases were registered against 101 petrol pumps where the discrepancies were found to be beyond the permissible limit, and penalties totalling Rs 6.66 lakh were imposed, according to the information provided.
The government also said discrepancies in fuel delivery were detected in 85.2% of the nozzles examined during the inspection drive.
Arshad said the enforcement exercise was intended to protect consumers from short delivery and other measurement-related irregularities at fuel stations.
The state government also raised objections to the Centre’s move to allow verification of petrol pumps through private agencies. Arshad said Karnataka would write to the Union government seeking withdrawal of the decision.
He argued that allowing petroleum companies or petrol pump operators to obtain certification from private entities of their choice could undermine consumer interests and said the ultimate risk would be borne by the public.
The state government has proposed additional measures aimed at strengthening transparency and consumer protection at petrol pumps.
According to the minister, an online dashboard should be introduced to provide certification information for every petrol pump. Fuel stations should also be required to prominently display details relating to calibration and the validity period of inspections.
Consumers who suspect short delivery should be able to verify the quantity using prescribed measuring equipment available at the petrol pump, he said.
The government has also stressed that petrol pumps must maintain appropriate cleanliness and provide toilet facilities.
Arshad warned that petrol pumps found committing serious measurement violations could face complete closure.
The minister urged members of the public who suspect manipulation or short delivery of fuel to immediately lodge a complaint with the department through its toll-free helpline.
The source material gives the toll-free number as 1800-599-100 at one point, while a later portion of the transcript appears to contain conflicting or garbled digits. The number should therefore be checked against the department’s official communication before publication.The
inspection findings have also prompted the Karnataka government to challenge the proposed central framework for private verification, with the state maintaining that fuel measurement certification and enforcement must adequately safeguard consumers.
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