Hyderabad: The constant change in petrol prices has worked in favour of petrol bunks to dispense the fuel with a faulty metre which charges more for less fuel.
The department of legal metrology zeroed in on 31 petrol stations in the last five months for various offences. “Every year, petrol pumps have to recalibrate their meters with a seal from the department of legal metrology. A delay invites legal proceedings,” said Mr Bhaskar Reddy, assistant controller of the Hyderabad zone.
“We conduct surprise raids on petrol bunks. They are asked to fill a five litre can. If the measurement falls short by 25 ml, a case is booked,” said Mr Bhaskar Reddy.
If the shortage exceeds 30 ml, the licence can be suspended. Seventy petrol bunks in the state were penalised for various offences. The department also examines whether petrol bunks are using calibrated and verified metres.
In the city, seven petrol bunks have been penalised for not getting the verifications reapproved on time.
