Meeting with NOC Chief Digambhar Jha, who arrived here to inaugurate a petrol pump -- Jaya Shree Tirupati Automobiles -- run by a cooperative, the dealers associated with Koshi Petroleum Dealers´ Association demanded him to address protracted demand-supply imbalance immediately.
The association also pushed for increment in commission rate, arguing that the existing rate has fallen short to meet the cost they incur for ´making arrangements to ensure smooth operations´. The association was referring to rising cases of extortion in the region.
“Fulfillment of workers´ demands, under which we raised their perks and benefits, too has increased our expenses,” claimed the association. Arvinda Sharma, spokesperson of the association, said that increment in commission rate by 2 percentage point was very necessary to enable dealers operate conveniently.
Responding to dealers´ demand, Jha categorically ruled out increment in commission amount. But he said NOC could consider the demand related to dealers´ overhead cost.
Earlier inaugurating the petrol pump, Jha announced that the management has launched anti-corruption drive in NOC, under which it will take tough action against officials engaged in corruption.
Referring to action against 24 staffers at Amlekhgunj depot for embezzling oil stock, Jha said NOC has already received the report of the high-level committee formed to investigate into the case. NOC board would decide the fate of those corrupt officials soon, he said.
“We have launched NOC purification campaign. We will not spare any official engaged in leakage and fuel adulteration,” said Jha. He further elaborated that the NOC´s motive behind fixing same price for diesel and kerosene was to prevent adulteration.
The operators, who brought the pump into operations with issued capital of Rs 40 million, said the refilling station would supply fuel to consumers even during strikes and bandas.
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