HC asks for rules allowing commercial outlets at petrol pumps

The Delhi High Court today asked the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to inform it about its statutory rules under which commercial outlets are being allowed to operate at petrol pumps here.

"How these outlets (commercial) are being operated at the petrol pumps. How the statutory rules are being enforced?" a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal asked the ministry.

While issuing notice to the ministry, the bench also directed it to file its reply in four weeks on a plea seeking action against commercial outlets that are allegedly illegally operating at various petrol pumps across Delhi.

The plea by an RTI activist Atul Gulati has also sought a direction to the authorities concerned to close such petrol pumps which are found acting against the law.

It said that the illegal operation of retail outlets, convenience stores, shops, kiosks, ATMs and car service centre at various petrol pumps across Delhi are a "grave safety hazard" to the people.

"They are operating in complete violation of the petroleum rules and lease agreement with Land and Development Office," the plea said.

A "criminal waste of space for commercial gains" can be seen at atmost every petrol pump, which is utilising the space meant exclusively for essential commodities, such as petrol and CNG, the plea added.