Kerala: Pumps cash in as prices fluctuate
The official, however, urged the public to check the daily prices while buying fuel.
Kochi: Though fuel prices go up by the day, the motorists may not check the exact price each day. The legal metrology department on Friday conducted surprise inspections at fuel pumps in Ernakulam and unearthed a case where the pump was charging excess money.
“The BPCL outlet at Matoor, Kalady, was charging Rs 79.64 per litre of petrol while the actual price for the day was only Rs 79.45. It was charging 19 paise extra per a litre of petrol. Similarly, a litre of diesel was priced at Rs 72.51 while the actual price was only Rs 72.38,” said Mr R. Ram Mohan, deputy controller, legal metrology department, central zone.
Earlier, a squad led by assistant controller C. Shamon detected the fraud while acting on a specific information of pumps selling fuel at excess price. “A criminal case has been slapped against the pump owner under section 30 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. He will have to remit a penalty of up to Rs 10, 000,” the official said. The official, however, urged the public to check the daily prices while buying fuel.
“The public should be alert. An SMS number of the oil company will be displayed at pumps along with the dealer code. Upon sending an SMS, they will get the day’s fuel price,” Mr Ram Mohan said. The squad lodged 10 other cases for offences like use of non-verified measures after a total of 14 pumps were inspected.