There's good news for petrol pump owners. The age-old method they have been dependent on to calibrate oil, petrol and diesel in tankers through dip rods will soon be replaced with flow meters across the state.
There's good news for petrol pump owners. The age-old method they have been dependent on to calibrate oil, petrol and diesel in tankers through dip rods will soon be replaced with flow meters across the state.
What's a flow meter?
The set-up at a petrol pump which makes it easy for you to see how much fuel is being filled in your vehicle and at what charge is a flow meter. The same equipment is present at the big fuel depots of oil companies, which, as per a petrol pump's ask, measures the required fuel while filling it in tankers. These tankers then bring the fuel to individual pumps.
How do pumps currently make sure they've got the asked quantity?
They do so with the help of dip rods, a system started way back in 1932 and one that's increasingly becoming problematic for pump owners. The method involves inserting the rod into a tanker, where a calibrated mark on it gives the depth of the tank and the fuel it is carrying.
Why's it a problem?
The methodology is prone to fraud as the dip rod can't find out if there is false base to the tanker that will reduce the amount of fuel in it.
So, when's the new equipment expected to be set up?
In a recent meeting with representatives of oil companies, tank-lorry associations and petrol pump dealers, the Legal Metrology Department (LMD) informed stakeholders that from March-end onwards flow meters would be used.
Senior inspector general of police and controller of LMD Sanjay Pandey said, "These arrangements will come into effect from March 31. The idea is to bring in newer technologies."
What else was discussed in the meeting?
LMD sources said the meeting was held to inform stakeholders about possible changes in the licensing conditions for equipment repairmen, whom LMD had given licences earlier. Stakeholders also put forward problems they face during the calibration process involving dip rods.
"The flow meters can be kept at the pump owners' premises or be fitted on to the tankers. It was, however, felt that it may be effective to keep them with the pump owners, who would use it when a tanker arrived there," said an LMD official.
What are pump owners saying?
President of Petrol Dealers' Association of Mumbai Ravi Shinde said, "For now, it (the use of flow meters) will start with petrol and diesel companies as their functioning is interstate. The archaic dip rod method, involving private calibrating companies, had become a breeding ground for corruption and pilferage. LMD has cancelled private calibration centres' licences and asked petrol companies to get calibration done from their own centres located inside their terminals and depots. This will root out corruption. We welcome this move."
The Legal Metrology Department (LMD) has come out with appeal notices, which say in case of doubt about weight or measure, quantity of the commodity bought, or doubt over a charge higher than the one printed on the package being levied, the aggrieved party can contact LMD control room at 022-22886666. The notice also gives the contact number of the department. "All those departments/shops who are into weights and measures will have to put up a copy of the notice at their establishment," said LMD controller Sanjay Pandey.
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