Soon, ‘Amma petrol bunks’ at 10 places across State

The fuel stations will not offer subsidised rates, unlike other Amma schemes

R. Kamaraj

Along the lines of Amma canteens, Amma salt, Amma water and Amma cement, the Tamil Nadu government is planning to set up ‘Amma petrol bunks’ in 10 places across the State, Food and Civil Supplies Minister R. Kamaraj announced in the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

However, unlike the other products and services named after the late chief minister’s popular moniker, which are offered at heavily subsidised rates, the fuel bunks will be operated on the basis of prevailing oil prices.

Elaborating on the new scheme, Mr. Kamaraj told

The Hindu that as a first step, the Food and Consumer Protection department will set up these petrol bunks in partnership with oil marketing companies along National Highways and State Highways in Tamil Nadu where vehicular traffic is high

.

The Minister said that these fuel bunks will come up at godown spaces owned by the department that are situated close to the highways. According to him, there are 221 such godowns.

The Minister informed that the 10 fuel bunks would come up at Edappadi in Salem (the Chief Minister’s native place), Nandanam in Chennai, Irumbuthalai in Thanjavur, Manapparai in Tiruchirapalli, Sundarakottai in Tiruvarur, Vaniyambadi in Vellore, Koyilpatthu in Nagapattinam, Kappalur in Madurai, Vaanur in Villupuram and Krishnarayapuram in Karur district.

To a query on the rationale behind the idea, Mr. Kamaraj said that the fuel bunks would aid consumer confidence since they would be operated by the government.

“There will be perfection, the price will be right and the quality will be good. We will set up these bunks soon,” he said.

The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation will take dealerships from oil marketing companies for these petrol bunks, he said, adding that a total of 30 locations have been identified in the State for further expansion.

The department will also set up 25 permanent paddy procurement centres across the State at a cost of ₹45 lakh each, with assistance from NABARD. It will also set up paddy drying spaces in 50 direct paddy procurement centres.