29 January,2011 06:51 AM IST | | Sanjeev Devasia
Three days after Sonawane's murder, officials from Food and Civil Supplies say GEO mapping on kerosene tankers is on, but the process is taking time
Had the Food and Civil Supplies department's initiative to install GPS systems been implemented by now, Additional Collector Yeshwant Sonawane may still have been alive.
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The department had been in the process of installing the systems on kerosene tankers for the last six months. However, the project got delayed because of technical reasons and the system is yet to be fully functional across the state.
The system would have ensured that the kerosene tanker did not deviate from its pre-determined route
The system would have ensured that the kerosene tanker did not deviate from its pre-determined route and also sent alarm signals to all concerned officers about its movement.
A GPS unit on a tanker will allow its online monitoring once it leaves the supply depot for the Taluka office and from there to various dealers. And so, the oil mafia cannot pilfer the oil by taking it to remote locations.
"There are various stages in the movement of the tankers from the depots to the retail dealer, which could be monitored.
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If there were any deviation, that would attract immediate attention, as the base station (for example, the district supply office), officials would be monitoring the movement.
"We intend to rope in the dealer too, as he would be an affected party if the kerosene is adulterated. By doing so, even he would be able to track the movement of the consignment meant for him," said an official.
"However, apart from other problems, the geo-mapping of the routes in each of the districts took time. We are yet to complete the process, which would take another four months," the official added.
Permanent security
"They want security permanently as anti-social elements even target them at their offices too.
Besides, if a supply officer receives some particular information, he or she can immediately take them along to carry out a raid, rather than wait for a police deployment.
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Sometimes, criminals escape from the spot during a wait. With a security team permanently stationed at the supply office, we can act fast," said an official.
