Probe fleecing at fuel pumps, says BJP MP

MUMBAI: Gopal Shetty, the BJP MP from Mumbai north, has demanded a high-level inquiry into growing cases of consumers being fleeced at petrol pumps in several parts of the city.
Alleging that consumers were being given less quantity of petrol as against the amount paid, Shetty said he would call on Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi on Monday and demand a high-level probe into the matter.
“This is a mega-buck scandal. Motorists are fleeced by many petrol pump dealers. The petroleum ministry should deploy flying squads at various petrol stations to curb the menace,” Shetty said. He was addressing a press conference at the state BJP headquarters on Saturday.
Party spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said, “This is a serious matter. The party will take up the issue at the highest level and save Mumbaikars from being taken for a ride by petrol pump dealers.”
Citing an example, Gopal Shetty said there have been numerous cases of motorists being shortchanged at an Indian Oil petrol pump at New Link Road in Andheri (West).
The BJP MP produced before the media the three consumers, Sudarshan Shetty, Rakesh Pande and Prakash Aggarwal, who stated that they were given petrol worth Rs 800 as against the printed bill of Rs 1,000 at the said petrol pump on April 20.
The trio registered a police complaint following which the Andheri police arrested two petrol pump employees. “However, there are big daddies involved in this multi-crore scandal. They should be brought to book,” said the BJP leader, and lamented the police inaction in the matter.
He advised consumers to insist on electronic bill at petrol pumps to ensure transparency in accounting. “However, the customer is often told that the electronic billing machine has failed and that they should be content with a hand-written receipt. Such malpractices should be stopped without further delay,” Gopal added.
The BJP MP said he would call on Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi on Monday to discuss the issue. “A high level probe should be ordered into the petrol scandal,” he demanded.