I would like to draw the higher authorities’ attention to the sale to customers of petrol/diesel for use in generators. These days some field officials and the police have started monitoring the sale of petrol/diesel and prohibiting petrol pumps from selling it in containers.

Petroleum Rules 1985, Licence in Form-K (storage of petroleum), Condition No. 14 (iii) and 14 (iv) of the licence clearly states that petrol upto 25 litres and high speed diesel up to five containers of 200 litres each can be filled under certain conditions. At the moment these conditions are definitely not applicable to standby generators, but should be added considering the fact that nowadays there is extensive use of generators in all walks of life.

Is it not a known fact that due to the power crisis, petrol and diesel generators are being imported in large numbers. When generators in such large numbers are installed in homes, shops, offices, etc. how are citizens supposed to get fuel to run them.

Some make-shift delivery vans have started home delivery of petroleum. Strangely, these petty officials have never bothered to inquire whether these vans have a licence for the transportation of petroleum. Perhaps they are unaware of the law pertaining to this.

The ministry concerned should immediately amend the rules to allow the sale of petrol/diesel for use in generators.

Imran Miraj

Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2014