Petrol being sold illegally in plastic bottles in Naxalbari

EOI, SILIGURI, 22 Oct 2016: Almost every shop in the villages that fall under Naxalbari block are selling petrol in plastic bottles. These shops include general stores, fast food outlets and grocery shops and they are found illegally selling petrol right from Naxalbari to Belgachi through Kolabari, Dhulia More, Nepania Busty, Lalpool, Hatigisha, Sathbhiya, Kestopur and Atal. Speaking to this correspondent on condition of anonymity, one such illegal petrol seller said, “We buy petrol in jars from various petrol pumps as well as from some private vehicles and sell it for a profit.” A biker owner from the area said, “It is easier for us as we don’t have to go to a far away petrol pump."

Tapan Pal, the office-in-charge of Naxalbari Police Station, said they will take necessary action against such illegal petrol vendors even as he admitted selling such a highly inflammable commodity as petrol openly is illegal.

According to the Petroleum Act 1934, Petroleum class A or Petrol possessed without a license under this section must be stored securely in receptacles with a stopper made of glass, stoneware or metal. In case of glass or stoneware receptacles, petrol capacity should not exceed one litre and in case of metal receptacles, petrol capacity should not exceed 25 litres. The petrol receptacles should also display hazard warning as petrol is very volatile in nature.