The Department of Supply Management (DoSM) on Monday sealed Bhadrakali Oil Store of Kadaghari on the charge of selling adulterated oil following complaints from motorists that the engine of their vehicles had been damaged by gasoline sold at the station.

DoSM Director Laxman Shrestha said they took action after receiving complaints from the owners of 10 trucks and buses. “They have filed complaints with the Nepal Police that the diesel sold at the gasoline station had ruined the engines of their vehicles,” he said.

“The drivers said the diesel had a watery look and wrecked the engines.”

Besides shutting down the gasoline station, the department has collected samples of the fuel sold there. Shrestha said they had sent the samples to the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) for tests.

The department said sellers of adulterated products would be dealt with under Nepal Standards Act 1980 or Consumer Protection Act 1998. “We will begin legal proceedings against the gasoline station after determining the type of adulteration,” said Shrestha, adding that they had asked the proprietor to submit an explanation within three days.

Last week, Bishal Oil in Bhairahawa and Jhorat Oil in Biratnagar were caught giving short measure. The NBSM discovered that they had been using a microchip to give false meter readings. According to a bureau report, 25 percent of the gasoline stations outside the Kathmandu Valley are suspected of using computer software to give their customers short measure.

Although the number of cases of petrol pumps cheating consumers has been rising, most offenders have been getting away with it. Last year, the fuel sold by Chakrapath Fuel Centre, Balaju was found to be adulterated and responsible for damaging the engines of half a dozen vehicles.

The NBSM had found the diesel sold from the gas station to be of very low quality leading to the damage of the engine. The owner of the outlet was made to pay Rs223,300 in compensation to the motorists.

The department said lack of laws to penalise offenders on the spot had been preventing it from taking effective action. “Under the existing laws, we have to follow a lengthy procedure to file cases against the guilty,” Shrestha said.

Various soaps found to be short in weight

KATHMANDU: The Department of Supply Management has initiated legal action against four manufacturers and distributors of washing soap on the charge of giving short weight.

Director Laxman Shrestha said they took Annapurna Industry to task for selling soap that weighed 175 gm when the packaging said 190 gm. Similarly, the department found OK, Wheel and Unibar brand soaps to be short in weight.

Amrit Mango, a soap manufactured by Annapurna Vegetables Udyog, was found to weigh 275 gm while it was marked 290 gm.

Shrestha said they had asked the distributors and manufacturers to provide an explanation.