PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
In a major relief to the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, the Uttarakhand government has clarified that these units can purchase diesel from the retail petrol pumps. The State administration had recently imposed restrictions on purchase of diesel by the MSME units due to which many food processing units and other factories were on the verge of closure.
In an order on Thursday, the commissioner Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department Banshi Lal Rana said that as per the Petroleum rules- 2002 (licence for storage of petroleum in the tanks regarding pump outfit for filling fuel in the vehicles), the class B licence holders can store upto 2,500 litres of diesel in the containers of 200 litre capacity.
Pertinently, a delegation of the Food Industries Association of Uttarakhand (FIAU) had recently met the cabinet minister Rekha Arya and raised the issue. The delegation informed the minister that due to the wrong interpretation of the rules, the food processing industry in Uttarakhand is on the verge of closure. Following the order of the minister, the Food and Civil Supplies department issued the clarification on Thursday.
Expressing happiness at the order, the FIAU has expressed gratitude to the State government. The State coordinator of the association, Anil Marwah told The Pioneer that the restrictions imposed by the administration on purchase of diesel from petrol pumps by the MSME units had affected the food processing units of the State, the most. He expressed gratitude to chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and cabinet minister Rekha Arya for understanding the issue and taking necessary action.
“The relief is the result of the unity and continuous effort by the members of the association. The FIAU is committed for the economic development of Uttarakhand and protecting the interests of the entrepreneurs,’’ he said.
