Sir,

In the recent past a few petrol bunks in and around the outskirts of Mysuru city are not filling fuel for the money we pay. One of my close friends faced this bitter experience when he went to a petrol bunk in the vicinity of his house. He got petrol filled for Rs.  200 in the tank in auto feed mode. But to his dismay, he later found that only less than half the tank was filled.

Actually when he filled petrol at the bunk, the fuel level in the tank was just above the reserve mark.

Later he went and complained to the manager/ owner of that petrol station but in vain.

In fact, he also enquired a few customers filling petrol in that station whether they are getting the right quality and quantity of petrol for which some of them responded saying that they just fill it and haven’t checked the quantity or quality of petrol so far.

The modus operandi of these bunks is very simple: Talk to the customers nicely first and then divert their attention to other things like low air pressure in the tyres. Once the attention is diverted, they just steal a few points of petrol.

Hence I appeal to the authorities of oil companies to make a surprise visit to petrol stations and check whether the meters are being calibrated regularly and properly, collect feedback on the spot from customers who are filling gas at that time, about the behaviour of gas filling personnel, whether they are satisfied with the quantity and quality of petrol, whether they are visiting the bunk regularly, etc.

Authorities must also create awareness in the minds of public  about  such petrol thefts.  If the authorities find any bunk indulging in such unfair trade practices they must immediately withdraw licence granted to them for running the bunk.

– Arunkumar, Chamarajapuram, 19.3.2018

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