Bhubaneswar, Sept. 24: Officials of the civil supplies department today sealed a diesel pump, which was operating without a licence, at Balianta. The officials have also drawn diesel sample to verify the allegations of adulteration.

Sources said the licence of the diesel pump — operating for the past two years — expired on March 31. “The details of stock record were not being properly maintained. There was irregularity in functioning of the pump. We have also seized more than 5,000 litres of diesel,” said Bhubaneswar civil supplies inspector Jnanendriya Mishra.

Earlier, the officials had sealed another petrol pump at Nakhara. The officials had found there irregularities, including invalid licence and stock records. They had also sealed another petrol pump at Baramunda for not having a licence.

An official said the drive would also cover various petrol pumps operating in the city and on its outskirts. The officials during inspection would check several things such as stock records, oil density and functioning of the pumps.

Khurda district has as many 55 petrol and diesel pumps, while more than 40 of those are in Bhubaneswar and on its outskirts.

Sources said some pumps operating in and around the city have been cheating the customers by manipulating the measuring devices.

“Pump owners are also not maintaining proper stock records which suggests that oil is being sold in the open market. By doing this, the owners are also avoiding payment of sales tax,” said a senior official.

Most of the time consumers complain about adulteration of petrol and diesel. “With ever increasing petrol and diesel prices, we cannot be sure if we are getting unadulterated oil,” said Bhubaneswar resident Akshay Sahu.

Sources said adulterated fuel could result in malfunctioning of vehicle engines, besides causing environmental hazards.

The raids by the civil supplies department have also raised questions over the operation of oil companies.

“How can they supply oil to pump owners operating without licence,” asked an official.