Bhubaneswar: The state govt has asked all its departments to make advance payments to fuel stations as a precautionary move to ensure uninterrupted supply to govt vehicles amid growing uncertainty arising from the war situation in West Asia.According to an official communication on Wednesday, departments and heads of departments have been authorised to provide interest-free advance payments equivalent to two months’ estimated fuel expenditure to the fuel stations. The arrangement follows a finance department order dated May 19.The advance payment will be made against an equivalent bank guarantee furnished by the fuel station concerned. The govt said the measure has been taken to safeguard fuel availability for official vehicles in the event of disruptions in supply chains linked to the geopolitical developments.On the day, skill development and technical education department deputy secretary Lalit Kumar Kanhar wrote to the proprietor of a fuel station in Bhubaneswar, stating that the department’s monthly expenditure on petroleum, oil and lubricants for its vehicles is approximately Rs 1.54 lakh. Accordingly, the department has sought a bank guarantee of Rs 3 lakh from the fuel station to facilitate advance payment, and ensure uninterrupted supply.Sources said the move is a part of the state govt’s efforts to maintain continuity of essential administrative services, and avoid disruptions to official transportation.
