Fuel dealers host test run on petrol, diesel quality

Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, Oct. 9:To educate consumers in Dimapur about the methods involved in determining the quality and quantity of petrol and diesel, the Petroleum Dealers Association of Dimapur (PDAD) conducted an publicity campaign at the Lifeline Enterprise, located at 3rd Mile in Dimapur on Oct. 9. Officials from Indian Oil Corporation, department of Food and Civil Supplies Dimapur, district administration, police, faith services, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. attended the programme with the deputy commissioner of Dimapur, Sushil Kumar Patel as the special guest. Addressing the gathering, Kumar said that some instances of adulteration had occurred in the past in Dimapur. He expressed concern that adulteration will spoil the engine of the vehicle. He thanked the PDAD for organising a programme to enlighten fuel customers at a time when many are losing trust about the working of petrol pumps in Dimapur. “The petrol and diesel issue has become a very sensitive one as we love our vehicle,” Kumar said, while mentioning that the issue in Dimapur is diminishing as people are educated and are more aware about the problem. However, he said that similar awareness programmes have to be carried out in other districts of the state so that they too will become aware of the problem. “The department of Legal Metrology carries out inspection from time to time but the most important thing is to address the concern of the consumers as they are the ones to decide the business,” Kumar said, adding that the consumers are very clear about their safety and benefits and that they will only go to the dealers that provide good service which in turn will benefit the business of the dealers in the long run. “Its 50-50,” Kumar said, “Good for your business and good for the consumers too.” He admitted that it takes time to built trust between the consumers and the dealers but once the trust is built it will go a long way in maintaining the consumer-dealers relationship. The assistant controller of the Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection, Limatoshi Jamir, spoke about the device known as the Working Standard Capacity Measure, a special five-litre container manufactured in the national physical laboratory. He said that the device was made of copper alloy which was invented in such a way that it will not invite oxygen into it as it leads to rusting. He added that the device should be available in all the offices of the inspector of legal metrology in the country. Speaking about its use, Jamir stated that the device is used to check the size and quantity of other commercial ones found in petrol pumps. “Every petrol pump needs to have the commercial petrol can which has to be taken to Legal metrology laboratory where inspector will determine 5-litre mark and give a certificate which has to be in all the petrol pumps issued by Legal Metrology,” he said. Jamir added that with the help of the five-litre can, petrol pump dealers have to check every two days to see whether the petrol/diesel dispenser machine is dispensing less or more, and if the machine is not working properly the dealers have to inform to Legal Metrology so that we can come and rectify it. An assistant manager, state level coordination Nagaland, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, N Kashung, demonstrated about the methods to check the purity of fuel. He demonstrated the two most common methods that are used in the country. The first method is the ‘Filter Paper Test’: Take the filter paper and put 2-3 drops of petrol over it. If the petrol evaporates within little time leaving no stain or mark on the filter paper, it means petrol is pure and of good quality. If it leaves any stain or mark on the filter paper, then petrol is not pure and of bad quality. Kashung informed that the procedure is not relevant for diesel. The second method is ‘Hydrometer Test’: It is another simple device to check the density of petrol. The density at a given temperature should be within the range of standard levels chart given by oil companies. “It should not be more or less than 3 variations,” Kashung said adding that any variation beyond permitted levels means petrol is adulterated. He informed that a consumer can always ask for density check in all the petrol pumps. Kashung further stated that the density for diesel will be higher than the petrol. However, the procedure remains the same; it should not be above and below 3 variations. Kashung has informed that if any anomaly is detected in any petrol pump, consumers can call the food officer or even the district administration and complaint about it. He said that the department will take sample from petrol pump in which an anomaly was detected and proceed to test in the laboratory. “Failing in sample test would result to direct termination of dealership,” Kashung stated.