Large quantity of adulterated fuel seized during minister's raid at petrol pump in Khargone
Following complaints of rampant adulteration of fuel in the area, a team of the public distribution department (PDD) led by minister Kunwar Vijay Shah raided a petrol pump here on Friday and seized a large quantity of fuel and adulterants.
Following complaints of rampant adulteration of fuel in the area, a team of the public distribution department (PDD) led by minister Kunwar Vijay Shah raided a petrol pump here on Friday and seized a large quantity of fuel and adulterants.
According to officials, Shah, the minister for food, civil supplies and consumer protection, and his team seized 72,000 litres of kerosene, five tankers of adulterated fuel and chemicals worth lakhs of rupees from the pump.
One tanker that was allegedly used as a mobile petrol pump to supply adulterated fuel in remote areas was also seized.
The raid was conducted between 10.30 am and 11 am on Friday at the petrol pump owned by Raman Mahajan.
It is situated on the outskirts of Sanawad town on the Indore-Icchapur state highway, officials said, adding that the department had received several complaints against Mahajan.
Initial investigation revealed that white kerosene was converted into adulterated fuel with the help of certain chemical at this petrol pump.
It also came to light that Mahajan owns a few more petrol pumps in Indore, Khargone, Khandwa and in neigbouring state Maharashtra.
When contacted, Khargone district food officer Swati Jain said, "Samples have been collected and sent to laboratories for testing. Action will be taken against the petrol pump owner under relevant sections of the Essential Commodities Act.”
"Department has also sent a letter to Hindustan Petroleum Company Limited to make them aware about today's raid," she added.
Earlier, after the raid, minister Shah ordered the department officials as well as police to take stern action against the people involved in adulteration in the area.
All the petrol pump owners were directed to make the filter paper available on their premises to check adulteration of fuel readily.