Fuel dispensers to be password protected to prevent manipulation

Machines to dispense fuel will soon be electronically protected and would be used only after providing passwords, so that the system can’t be manipulated to cheat motorists.



The above decision was taken a meeting of government officials with oil marketers and equipment manufacturers.

The reason behind this decision is the rise in number of cases where petrol pumps in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra were found to be cheating customers. They did so by manipulating machines into dispensing less fuel than what was shown on the display.

"The legal metrology rules have a provision for e-sealing of pulsar cards, which are currently mechanically sealed," an official from the department of consumer affairs told ET."So it can be done right away, without any cost requirements."

The process of electronic sealing of these machines would soon be undertaken by officials from state legal metrology departments, oil firms and equipment makers.

"The matter is being given utmost priority by both the ministries," said the official. "We will start this process at one place and then it will gradually spread out across the country in phases."