Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government has issued an immediate ban on the sale, supply, transport, and storage of petroleum products, specifically petrol and diesel, in plastic bottles and other unapproved containers.
Sri Sanjaya Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department, has issued a directive to all 30 District Collectors in Odisha to prohibits the sale, supply, transport, and storage of petroleum products, specifically petrol and diesel, in plastic bottles and unapproved containers.
This action was taken because the practice violates statutory provisions and poses serious threats to public safety, fire hazards, and environmental risks.
To ensure strict enforcement, the government has given the following instructions:
- Periodic coordination meetings with key enforcement agencies, including the Superintendent of Police, Civil Supplies Officer, and representatives of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), are to be held to review the enforcement of the prohibition.
- Field officers such as Civil Supplies Inspectors, enforcement squads, police officials, and Tahasildars are instructed to conduct spot checks and surprise inspections at retail outlets, fuel stations, and suspected retail points.
- Immediate action is to be taken against violators found supplying petroleum in plastic or other unapproved containers.
- All fuel dispensing stations and petroleum dealers must be instructed to strictly refrain from supplying petroleum products in plastic bottles or unauthorized containers.
- Dealers are also directed to display a visible warning board in both Odia and English stating, “Petrol/Diesel shall not be sold in plastic bottles or unauthorized containers. Violators will be prosecuted”.
The directive requests that the Collectors ensure strict compliance with these instructions and submit a monthly action taken report detailing the number of inspections, violations found, and actions taken.
The order was issued under the authority of the Petroleum Act, 1934, the Petroleum Rules, 2002, the Explosives Act, 1884, the Motor Spirit and High-Speed Diesel (Regulation of Supply, Distribution and Prevention of Malpractices) Order, 2005, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.