Bhubaneswar, May 9: The directorate of legal metrology today conducted inspections at 16 filling stations in the city following incidents of petrol pumps cheating customers by placing chips in the petrol dispensing machines in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere.

The directorate, which functions under the food supplies and consumer welfare department, did not find any of the inspected petrol pumps using chips but penalised two of these for dispensing less than the required fuel.

The directorate constituted four squads, which conducted surprise inspections at the petrol pumps. The squad inspected the petrol-dispensing machines and other equipment for weight and measurement at the filling stations. The squad also checked the licence and details of stock record.

"The inspection began today and in the first phase, we visited filling stations in Bhubaneswar. So far, we have not found chips being used at any of the filling stations we went to. The drive will also be extended to other parts of the state," said the new minister of food supplies and consumer welfare Surya Naryan Patro.

Fifty-one filling stations operate within the limits of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation. The squad found two petrol pumps - one at Kalpana Square and the other on Cuttack Road - guilty of delivering less fuel.

"According to rules, a shortfall of 25ml in five litres of fuel is permissible. But both the petrol pumps had shortfall of 30ml. Each of these petrol pumps were fined Rs 10,000," said a department official.

In March, a customer had alleged that a certain petrol pump at Kharavela Nagar was supplying less fuel. Later, the authorities had conducted an inspection and found no irregularities. Similar allegations have been reported from other parts of the city as well.

"This is a good move because many customers often complain of less supply of fuel. The state government should conduct raids to detect adulteration of oil at the pumps. Strong action should be taken," said Arun Sashani, a customer.