83 Cheating Cases Registered Against Fuel Stations In 3 Years: Odisha Minister

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has seen 83 cheating cases being registered against various fuel stations in the last three fiscals, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak told Odisha assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a question from MLA Sudhansu Sekhar Parida, the Minister informed 37 cases were registered and Rs 4,06,000 was collected as fine in 2020-21 financial year, 22 cases were registered and Rs 3,43,000 was collected as fine in 2021-22 and 24 cases were registered and 3,17,000 was collected as fine in 2022-23 financial year.

The Minister also informed the assembly that to check adulteration at fuel stations in Odisha, the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take stock of quality and measurement at fuel stations once in three months. In case of any irregularity, they send the oil samples to laboratory for further action. Surprise checks are conducted by multidisciplinary teams at fuel stations and every month oil samples are collected and examined at mobile laboratories of OMCs.

Oil marketing company officials also investigate if complaints of adulteration are brought to fore.