Govt gets tough on persons hoarding fuel

The Ministry of Power and Energy is to issue a gazette notification next week imposing penalties including a jail term on those illegally possessing fuel stocks. 
 
The gazette is to be issued as part of measures being taken to conserve existing fuel stocks.  
 
Only three fuel shipments are due this month, a senior Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) official told the Sunday Times. A vessel carrying 37, 000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of diesel has already arrived and unloading commenced yesterday (6). 
 
A partial payment has been made for a shipment of 40, 000 MT of petrol. The total payment amounts to USD 49 million and the Central Bank (CBSL) has agreed to release funds to make the full payment. An order has also been placed for a 91, 000 MT crude oil shipment running to a total cost of USD 65 million. 
 
The CPC however, has not been able to order any further stocks so far owing to the dollar shortage, with the CBSL being unable to release funds for more purchases, for the time being, the official noted. 
 
Remittances from migrant workers are still below expectations, making it more difficult to find funds for fuel purchases, according to the official. 
 
Nevertheless, the CPC is making arrangements to ensure continuous diesel supply to run the public transport system. 
 
Meanwhile, the successful implementation of fuel distribution via the National Fuel Pass QR code system has brought down illegal hoarding of fuel by almost 90 per cent, the official claimed. With the introduction of the QR code system with its strict quota, motorists are no longer able to make multiple trips to the pump after emptying fuel from their tanks for the purpose of hoarding and selling on the black market, it was pointed out.  (By Damith Wickramasekara)