SHIMLA: The conflict between Oil companies over the participation in tenders invited by HRTC for the bulk supply of diesel has been reported. The Indian oil corporation (IOC) – Bharat Petroleum had denied the participation saying that it would be a clear cut infringement of the norms fixed by the petroleum ministry but the many dealers of Hindustan petroleum (HP) took part in the tender’s invited by HRTC on 18 -2-2013 for the bulk supply of diesel. The government of India had denied the subsidy to bulk consumers in the country, though the HRTC was the bulk purchaser of diesel so it was also affected. The dealers of IOC and BP have also decided to raise the issue before the ministry for action against those dealers who participated in the tenders for bulk supply.
Notably, the HRTC buses had started the filling of diesel from private dealers instead of pumps set up on bus stands so that diesel could be obtained on subsided prices. The HP petrol and diesel dealers association is also set to take a strict note against those dealers who participated in the tender procedure of the HRTC for bulk supply. Association have pleaded that oil company dealers circumvent diesel policy of government causing huge loss to exchequer. The state vice president of the association Deepak Baweja said that the dealers of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation by restoring supply to bulk consumers on retail rates (subsidized) through their retail out have violated the norms and control orders for retail outlets by participating in public tender on 18-2-2013 floated by HRTC for the supply of diesel.
It has allegedly defeated the policy of government of India for saving public money by cutting diesel subsidy. In Himachal IOC have network of 197 dealers, whereas Hindustan Petroleum have its 90 dealers followed by 58 dealers if Bharat petroleum. When asked, regional manger Sanjay Sharma of Hindustan Petroleum refused to comment over the allegations of violation by the dealers of other two oil companies in the state. He said that corporate office of the company could comment over it because he was not authorized to speak with media. The HRTC requires around 35 lakh liters diesel for its buses every month. After withdrawal of subsidy the HRTC is getting about Rs 10/ liter costly diesel as compare to previous arrangement.