NBSM restricts import of fuel dispensers made by Gilbarco

Kathmandu, November 19

The Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology (NBSM) has imposed a ban on the import of fuel dispensers of Gilbarco brand, a US-based fuel management solution provider, after its dispensers were found to have used software to provide less fuel than what has been paid for.

A recent inspection carried out by NBSM had found fuel dispensers of Gilbarco using software to tamper with pump calibration to reduce flow of fuel into the tanks of vehicles.

Meanwhile, government has also scrapped the licence of Birgunj-based Araniko Traders - the authorised importer of Gilbarco fuel dispensers for Nepal.

“The initial report of our probe into this case showed that the importer had been supplying fuel dispensers of Gilbarco brand in the domestic market by installing the software that tampers the pump calibration to reduce the flow of fuel,” said Bishwo Babu Pudasaini, director general at NBSM.

NBSM is preparing a separate guideline to regulate fuel dispensers after frequent cases of tampering with the fuel calibration through various software and use of technological chips have surfaced. “The new guideline will now allow the import of only tamper-proof fuel dispensers in the country,” said Pudasaini.

So far, NBSM has found five fuel stations cheating consumers through such software and technological chips across the country.

As per Pudasaini, NBSM will also monitor other forms of anomalies being practiced in the fuel stations to cheat consumers.

Meanwhile, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) today issued a notice to fuel dealers directing them not to instal fuel dispensers of Gilbarco. Similarly, those who have already installed these dispensers have been directed to replace them as soon as possible.

As per NOC, different fuel stations have installed around 100 fuel dispensers of the Gilbarco brand.