The inefficient fuel distribution system in place has caused long fuel lines outside petrol stations, making the QR code ineffective.
Shelton Fernando, the President of the All Ceylon Fuel Station Owners’ Association, said the reason for the long queues is not the shortage of fuel but the inefficient system currently being adopted by the Petroleum Corporation regarding the payments made by the fuel station owners and subsequent acknowledgement by the corporation officials.
Fernando pointed out that instead of the system followed earlier, the corporation has introduced a new system that requires the shed owners to bank the money for the orders they place. Accordingly, the money should reach the respective bank in the morning of the day the shed owners require their fuel stock.
Fernando said, “In the past when we ordered a stock of fuel, we took steps to give the corresponding amount by cheque. The cheque sometimes reaches the corporation through the respective fuel bowser. “
“Recently, they brought in a new regulation requiring the shed owner to pay the money before 9:00 am on the day they need fuel. However, later, the time was extended up to 9.30 am. Now there is a rule requiring the shed owners to pay before 10.30 am.
Practically, this is a difficult task. One particular reason is that you have to take this money to the bank, taking all necessary precautions. The other is the busy schedule of the banks in the morning, causing inordinate delays. It also includes practical difficulties like getting money from other banks for credit card payments.
When all the money is channelled to the corporation at the same time by the shed owners, it will result in delays in the issuing of invoices from the corporation. Hence, the fuel station owners do not know when the fuel stocks will arrive at the shed. This uncertainty also causes many delays. “These are the main reasons that have affected the efficient distribution of fuel and the forming of long queues,” he said. He also pointed out that there are ample stocks in the corporation at the moment.
Shelton Fernando suggests that at least the duration given for payment should be extended to 12.30 pm and that the corporation should devise a new scheme to release the fuel stock as soon as the money is banked.
He further said that an online information system should be installed integrating fuel retail sales as well as the account department linked to the supplies terminal of the corporation. An online link between the supplies department and the banking system relating to payments could make this system efficient and workable.
Otherwise, according to the old system, payment could be facilitated through cheques issued on the date the relevant supply is required.
He said that he would discuss this with officials, including Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijeskara .
If we fail to implement an efficient fuel supply system along the same lines as the QR code, which has been implemented very successfully, the whole idea of an efficient fuel distribution will grind to a halt.
