Odisha police for stern action against using electronic chips in petrol pumps

Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) R.P. Sharma on Friday ordered stern action against unscrupulous petrol pump retailers who are using electronic chips in petrol pumps across the state to tamper with the quantity of fuel delivered to customers.

The DGP instructed the district police officials to take appropriate action against these unscrupulous business men and prosecute them under sections of the Indian Penal Code and under Odisha Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1951 and any other relevant law.

The DGP also asked the field functionaries under their control to take stock of intelligence inputs in the matter and register criminal cases against such offenders.

There have been frequent allegations by people on the adulteration of petrol pump products as well as manipulation in the petrol pump dispensing system by use of micro-chips/ electronic device/remote sensors.

It is learnt from the intelligence source that some petrol pump retailers in connivance with some unscrupulous persons plant electronic gadgets to manipulate the calibration system of dispensing pump which amounts to forgery of electronic documents, said an official.

A report issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that as many as 86 petrol pumps in Odisha have been detected for using these pilfering devices.

Sharma said coordination between officers of the Civil Supplies and Legal Metrology (Weights and Measures) Departments was needed for effective joint verification and registration of such cases.

--IANS

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