The operation of eight fuel nozzles in as many petrol pumps was stopped following a special drive conducted by the central zone of the Legal Metrology Department in Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Idukki on Tuesday.
R. Ram Mohan, Deputy Controller of the department’s central zone, said that surprise inspections were conducted in 39 pumps in the four districts. The eight fuel nozzles were found to be dispensing lesser petrol or diesel than what the customers paid for even though the meter showed otherwise, he said.
The department has asked the errant petrol bunks not to dispense petrol through these nozzles until they were rectified. Action would also be taken against the management of a petrol outlet in Thrissur for selling lubricants at rates existing before the implementation of the GST. Even though the rate of the lubricants had come down after GST, the management was found selling the item at higher rates, the officials said.
Officials said that customers should be alert against the tinkering of dispensers and the possibility of dispensing less fuel. They have to check how much fuel has been filled besides getting an idea of the fuel capacity and mileage of their vehicle. They should insist on a printed receipt and ask the pump employees to hold the nozzle at a height so that the residual fuel flows into the vehicle’s fuel tank.
