The West Bengal government will fit global positioning system (GPS) devices on kerosene tankers to check pilferage of the fuel. “There is pilferage of kerosene from tankers while they are on their way from the depots to the distributing agents. In order to monitor the running tankers, tracking devices would be fitted on them,” Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick said.
Mallick, who held a meeting with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) officials to discuss the issue, said the device would be helpful in checking pilferage.”The device was demonstrated by the IOC officials at the meeting and we found it quite useful. The process of installing the devices would be complete within three to four months.”
Each of the devices, costing Rs 11,000 to Rs 12,000, would be connected to the mainframe computers via satellites which would relay information about the positioning of the trucks on the route.
The minister also informed that the IOC will float a tender and a single vendor would be chosen to supply the devices. IOC General Manager Indrajit Bose said the device, which the Corporation was already using on its petrol tankers was quite useful.