Sale of petrol in plastic bottles to be banned from today

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is in action mode after the fire incidents in Balasore and Balanga in the last few days. Henceforth, loose sale of petrol and diesel in plastic bottles will not be allowed from today. It will be sold in glass bottles instead.

Petrol will be sold in glass bottles as per the petroleum rules. The Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has directed all the District Collectors in this regard.

Raids will be conducted to check the sale of petrol in plastic bottles at several places. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty. This decision was taken after a meeting between the Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister and the Petroleum Dealers’ Association.

Even the license of the sellers will be cancelled if they are found to be going beyond the rules.

Patra held a high-level meeting with the stakeholders of petroleum sector in his office room at Lok Seva Bhawan during which he urged them to strictly follow the prescribed rules and completely ban the sale of fuel in the plastic bottles.

While speaking to the newsmen after the meeting, the Minister informed that the prescribed rules will be strictly followed and petrol will not be sold in plastic bottles. Those who need in emergency can take either in glass or aluminum containers.

Loose sale of petrol will continue as people of different sectors including farmers, institutions and government offices need fuel, the Minister informed while directing the District Collectors for personal supervision of these rules.

Further the Minister said that strict action will be taken against individuals selling petrol on the roadside, in small shops in various parts of the state and similar action will also be taken against petrol pumps or individuals who cooperate illegally in this regard.