MYANMAR – The junta council set up new rules and regulations and tightened restrictions on fuel shops and companies to absolutely cut the flow of fuel into regions controlled by EAO (Ethnic Armed Organisations) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF), reported fuel shops and agents.
It is said that the junta council issued new rules to cut the flow of fuel into the liberated zones controlled by revolutionary forces in northern Shan State, Karen State, Karenni State, Rakhine State, Chin State, Kachin State, Sagaing Division, Tanintharyi Division, and Magway Division.
In restricting fuel shops and companies, the junta council ordered that the submitted quantity of fuel must be transported to the reported end destination without wastage, that only approved fuel tank trucks must be used to transport fuel, that the sale must match the approved quantity, and that it absolutely not store and sell to external parties (in quantities larger than the approved quantity).
“There are tightening restrictions to ensure no fuel flows into the black zones. For example, if the approval is to transport 5,000 gallons of fuel to the gas station in Taunggyi, all 5,000 gallons must be transported to that gas station. There must be no deficit when the fuel arrives at the gas station in Taunggyi. The fuel must not reach any place other than the gas station. It can only be transported in approved fuel tankers. The use of replacement vehicles is not permitted. The route must also follow the approved route,” a gas station business explained.
In addition to issuing new restrictions to cut fuel flow to regions controlled by revolutionary forces, the junta council is also said to be issuing fines and temporarily revoking the business licenses of gas stations and fuel companies that don’t comply with the new regulations.
“Over 30 gas stations had their business licenses temporarily revoked for three months because they didn’t follow the rules when transporting fuel, for not using the approved truck for transport, and because the quantity of fuel that arrived at the gas station was less than the approved quantity. There have also been a lot of fines. A fuel tanker not following the approved route is fined 50 lakhs,” said a member of Myanmar Petroleum Trade Association.
The junta council has also ordered strict checks and arrests to ensure that food, medicine, general goods, and electronics are not transported to regions controlled by revolutionary forces.
