Fleecing the people: Labour dept raids 7 filling stations

Minister Raja instructs officials to conduct raids after receiving scores of public complaints

LAHORE: The Weights and Measures Wing of the Labour Department on Friday raided seven petrol pumps following a directive by Labour Minister Raja Ashfaq Sarwar.  The minister had instructed officials to conduct raids at petrol pumps suspected of fleecing the public after receiving scores of public complains in this regard. The teams conducting the raids were led by Weights and Measures Deputy Controller Arshad Mahmood Tarar. Officials said Meher Gas Station on Sanda Road, Highway Traders Bahawalpur House, Haider Filling Service Centre on PECO Road, Usman Filling Station in Kot Lakhpat, Gausia Service Centre in Wapda Town and A&A Filling Station in Johar Town officials had tampered with government seals and weighing equipment.  They said 31 cases were registered against them and 18 units were sealed. Officials said Ravi Service Station was the only pump out of the seven found to be using accurate measuring equipment.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2014.