Consumers Seek Purity Tests at Petrol Bunks

COIMBATORE: In the wake of complaints about the quality of petrol, consumer activists have demanded that the government should make the ‘filter paper test’ mandatory in all petrol bunks.

Section 13(c) of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 allows a consumer to check the quality of petrol before buying it, say consumer activists. However, most are unaware of it.

Express came across a young man arguing with the staff of a petrol bunk. He said, they had given him adulterated petrol or a lesser quantity. “I filled petrol for Rs 400, but it got over very quickly. There must have been some foul play. We must have a system to check the quality of fuel,” said Santhosh Kumar, an engineering graduate.

There is a simple test to find the quality of petrol, said Rajam Ganesan, a rights activist. “The Consumer Protection Act mandates petrol bunks to stock specially made filter paper using which, the quality of fuel can be checked,” she said, adding, “One only needs to place a drop of petrol on the filter paper. If impure, it vapourises quickly, leaving behind residual matter. If the petrol is pure, there will be no stain or mark on the paper.” If the bunk operators refuse to give the filter paper, the customer can complain to the Legal Metrology Department or the Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

According to Rajam, the consumer is the king of the market which would be possible only if they are aware of their rights.