Northeast Desk, 16th February: Fuel outlets operating in the valley districts of Manipur have decided to shut down for three days starting Friday, citing alleged financial crisis and excessive demands for donations by various organizations. The decision was made following an emergency meeting attended by representatives of retail outlets on Thursday.
According to a release issued after the meeting, the closure is a response to the current financial challenges faced by the fuel dealers, as well as the pressure exerted by multiple organizations for donations. The release emphasized that any additional pressure during this period would lead to further closures of the outlets.
The announcement comes after representatives of the retail outlets warned Chief Minister N Biren Singh on February 10 about the possibility of shutting down their outlets if financial demands or donations exceeded their capacity to pay.
In a letter addressed to the CM, the representatives highlighted the difficulties encountered by the fuel dealers, including a decline in sales, significant decrease in profit margins (by almost 40-50%), and an excessive number of donation demands. They also mentioned threats to their employees and instances of kidnapping for ransom.
The letter underscored the challenges in managing expenses such as employee salaries, company fees, insurance, and income tax with their current income levels. In light of these challenges, the representatives appealed to the chief minister for assistance in overcoming the financial crisis.
The closure of fuel outlets for three days reflects the gravity of the situation and underscores the urgent need for intervention to address the financial woes faced by fuel dealers in Manipur’s valley districts.
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