Kottayam native lodges complaint with Suresh Gopi's office via WhatsApp, gets it resolved within 48 hours

PALA: After filling diesel from the Indian Oil pump at Kadapattur, a customer found water content in it. He lodged a complaint with the office of Union Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi and the car owner was ordered to pay compensation within 48 hours. The said pump was also closed down for inspection and was reopened last day after procedures.

Traces of water in the diesel were found in the car of Jiju Kurian, a left sympathizer and son-in-law of James Vadakkan, managing trustee of the Centre for Consumer Education. After receiving no response from Indian Oil Corporation, James sent a complaint to Suresh Gopi's office on WhatsApp through his friend and BJP leader Sivasankaran.

On June 17, Jiju loaded 35 litres of diesel in his car from the pump in Kadappattur. After filling the diesel, the warning lights lit up and a beep sound was heard. After the car stalled, it was taken to Honda's workshop, and it was found that water had entered the fuel tank along with the diesel.

James tried to contact IOC officials but they did not pick up the phone. Then on June 22, a complaint was filed against Sureshgopi. A reply was received from Suresh Gopi's office that the matter has been taken up and a solution will be reached as soon as possible. The IOC dealer sent Rs 9,894 to Jiju's account last Monday afternoon, which includes the cost of draining the diesel and cleaning the tank.