BPCL Panewadi plant sealed for a day

Nashik, May 24: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) project at Panewadi near Manmad was sealed by Manmad Municipal Corporation yesterday but the same was removed later last night.

BPCL, that established the project in 1996, had not paid Export Fees for the period June 1, 1998 to May 31, 2008 at the rate of Rs 5 per litre, totaling to Rs 23,37,16,000. Therefore, the Municipal Council administration sealed the project.

The Council won a legal battle with the Company regarding the issue. As per High Court orders, the administration had submitted a new bill to the Company on May 16, with an ultimatum to pay it within seven-days.

Following the due, administration sealed the Company's main gate as per the Municipal Council Act. Nandgaon MLA Sanjay Pawar, Municipal Council President Rajabhau Chhajed, Council Chief Officer Vijay Kulkarni were also present during the sealing. Not a single tanker was allowed to enter the plant to fill fuel. Due to the action, supply of petroleum products at various places were affected.

However, after intervention by the District Collector, the seal was removed.

UNI