The State government is working out plans to set up an oil depot in Ri-Bhoi district for storing petrol and diesel.
Speaking to media persons here today, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the government has taken serious note of the unavailability of a fuel depot in the State.
According to him, negotiations and discussions are on with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) on this matter.
He also said that once an oil depot is set up, the State will roughly save 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent in taxes.
“Now Food and Civil Supplies department is on the job to convince and make sure that the oil depot is created. We are trying to find a feasible plot of land somewhere in Ri-Bhoi district,” Tynsong added.
It may be mentioned that in the past, IOC had an oil depot at Umiam. However, it was closed down about five years ago.
Now, petrol and diesel have to be brought from Lokhra depot in Guwahati.
Absence of an oil depot for petrol and diesel in the State has caused a lot of difficulty whenever there is any agitation or strikes in Assam.
