Kolkata: In a major relief for the healthcare sector, food supply chain and farmers, the state govt has intervened to ease the recently imposed restrictions on purchasing diesel in containers. The state has directed oil marketing companies to fully exempt essential sectors, including healthcare, food supply, agriculture, public services and tea gardens, from the fuel rationing regulations.Under the revised directives, individuals and organisations associated with these vital sectors will be allowed to buy and transport diesel in containers or barrels without hindrance. Furthermore, the daily maximum fuel limit previously imposed on these consumers has been relaxed. To ensure a hassle-free experience at fuel pumps, consumers from these sectors will only need to produce basic identification documents to procure the fuel.The state’s intervention follows widespread disruption across rural and emergency services after a blanket ban was placed on dispensing diesel in separate containers.Attributing the swift policy relaxation to the govt’s commitment to public welfare, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari emphasised that the administration acted promptly to resolve the crisis.“Our govt is always committed to ensuring that the daily lives of ordinary people, emergency services and the state’s economy continue to progress smoothly without any hindrance,” Adhikari said.The chief minister noted that the initial ban on container supply had placed hardworking farmers, hospitals and emergency service providers in “extreme distress” during their daily operations, necessitating immediate state intervention to safeguard public interest.Hospitals welcomed the move. “We welcome the decision to allow the healthcare sector to procure diesel in containers. Reliable access to diesel is essential for uninterrupted operation of hospital backup generators, ensuring that critical services remain unaffected during emergencies or power outages. This timely relaxation reflects the importance of safeguarding healthcare infrastructure and patient care, and we appreciate the govt’s pragmatic approach towards supporting essential medical services,” said Supriyo Chakrabarty, Group adviser, BP Poddar Hospital.
