The Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (CAF & PD) Department has issued a strong warning against the operation of petrol dispensing machines inside residential homes in Andro, Imphal East, and Heirok, Thoubal, as well as the activities of mobile petrol vendors.
Addressing the media at the DIPR Conference Hall today, CAF & PD OSD (POL) Haobam Bobby cautioned that such practices pose a grave risk in densely populated areas, as the storage of petrol at homes could lead to catastrophic accidents.
The department has set a 15-day deadline for discontinuing the activity, failing which raids will be launched in coordination with law enforcement agencies and stringent legal measures will be enforced. While mobile diesel vending continues to be permitted, the sale and storage of petrol in households remain strictly prohibited.
The CAF & PD Department appealed to the public to comply with safety norms and legal provisions, stressing that public safety cannot be compromised by reckless fuel vending in residential areas. Officials reiterated that fuel handling must follow prescribed safety guidelines, warning that illegal petrol vending in neighborhoods will not be tolerated.