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People forced to go for premium petrol

BERHAMPUR: Shortage of ordinary petrol has started in the city following the recent price rise of petroleum products. Several petrol pumps in the city now do not have stock of ordinary petrol. They are compelling the customers to buy premium brands of petrol at higher price.

After the recent price hike a litre of general petrol costs Rs. 50.42 at BPCL outlets and Rs 50.68 at Indian Oil outlets. But the premium brands of petrol like ‘Speed’ and ‘Extra Premium’ are priced at Rs. 54.68.

Only a few petrol pumps are now selling the ordinary petrol, which has become a worry for customers because after steep hike in prices they are not ready to pay another Rs. 4 for each litre of petrol in the name of ‘premium’ product.

A BPCL outlet had to close down its shutters as it did not have general petrol while the Indian Oil outlet adjacent to it had ordinary petrol stock. “People are filling their vehicles with the high priced premium brand of petrol only out of compulsion due to the scarcity of general petrol at petrol pumps,” said J.K. Patnaik of the city.

Consumer activist and lawyer Manoj Patnaik alleged that the petroleum companies were trying to sell off their stock high priced premium brand petrol by creating scarcity of general petrol. “They know after steep price rise there would be little market for the high priced petrol brands. Hence, they may have started this ploy to sell the high priced product,” he said. He said the consumer activists of the city have decided to start agitation if proper stock of general petrol was not ensured at all petrol pumps of the city.

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