Major Progress in Talks Between Government and Dealers
The ongoing dispute between the government and petroleum dealers over the petrol relief scheme has ended. The dealers have been informed of the procedure for refunding the subsidy amount, after which the association announced to start implementing the scheme.
In a meeting held on Thursday between the government and the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, it was agreed that the relief amount will be transferred to the dealers’ bank accounts through the State Bank.
According to the association, the method of completing the payment within 48 hours has been decided. A formal notification will also be issued in this regard.
This development came after the deadlock that emerged a day earlier. Dealers refused to sell petrol under the relief scheme because they were not clear on how and in what time frame the rebate amount given to consumers would be refunded.
The dealers maintained that it was not possible for them to provide a relief of Rs 100 per litre from their own pockets. They had demanded that the government create a system in which there would be no risk of subsidy money getting trapped.
The issue was resolved after negotiations. The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association said that its members have started implementing the relief scheme.
The Petroleum Minister assured dealers in the meeting that consultation with relevant stakeholders would be further improved in future such decisions. The meeting was attended by the central leadership of the association and provincial representatives.
Under the government’s fuel relief scheme, a discount of up to Rs 100 per litre is being provided for motorcycles, rickshaws and other two- or three-wheeled vehicles. Vehicles up to 800 cc have also been included in this facility.
On the first day of the nationwide implementation of the scheme, the issue of payment emerged as the biggest problem. Now, after an agreement between the government and dealers, the focus is on ensuring that the subsidised petrol continues to be available to consumers without any hindrance and that the dealers are also paid on time.
Meanwhile, a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also reviewed the implementation of the scheme. The meeting reviewed issues related to payment to petrol pumps, consumer complaints and use of tokens. The authorities were directed not to deprive any citizen who has a valid token of relief.
