GST Teams step up action against Illegal Fuel resale in North Kerala

GST Enforcement officials are cracking down on illegal fuel resale in northern Kerala. They are conducting frequent vehicle inspections in areas near Kozhikode and Kannur to stop fuel bought cheaply from Mahe from being resold illegally.

So far, they’ve caught around 30 cases in the Kozhikode area alone, collecting fines of about Rs.60 lakh. The price difference in Mahe makes it attractive for black-market sellers, who often have connections with quarry operators and fishing boat owners.

A driver from Vadakara explained that sellers make a profit of Rs.10 per litre by reselling Mahe diesel in nearby districts and charge more in areas without local fuel stations. This illegal trade is helped by some fuel stations in Mahe.

There are also complaints about goods-vehicle operators who frequently go to Mahe to buy cheap fuel, not just for their tanks but also in plastic containers. Many fuel stations ignore rules about not selling fuel in bottles.

Fuel station owners in Kozhikode and Kannur are asking for more monitoring by highway patrols and the Excise Department, as the illegal transport and storage of fuel are unsafe and need urgent attention.