Many gas stations "hoard goods" waiting for price increase?

(Baonghean.vn) -Before the rumor that gasoline prices were about to increase, some gas stations were hoarding goods waiting for the price to increase. This is not a new tactic but it is repeated every time there is news of a price increase… causing anger and dissatisfaction among the people.To limit this phenomenon of "following the flow", authorities need to take more drastic action and strictly handle gas stations that intentionally stop selling before the price increase.

Every time he fills up his gas tank, Mr. Nguyen Van Ha (in Nghi Trung commune, Nghi Loc district) goes to the Thanh Ha petrol station near his house. But this morning, August 28, 2012, when Mr. Ha went to fill up his gas tank, the gas station had a sign saying “out of gas”. Mr. Ha said: A few days ago, he came here to fill up his gas normally, but this morning, “out of gas”! The reporter stopped by the Thanh Ha petrol station and was told by the sales staff that the store had stopped selling for 3 days.

Thanh Ha petrol station has hung a sign saying "out of gas" for 3 days.

Along National Highway 1A, through Nghi Lien Commune, Vinh City, Bich Phuong Gas Station No. 1 is also closed, without any notice board, and without staff on duty. Both of these stores are privately owned.

Bich Phuong petrol station closed quietly

Just 2-3km away, Petrolimex gas stations are still selling normally. According to local residents, this morning, August 28, in Thanh Chuong district, there were also 2 gas stations hoarding goods waiting for a price increase.

Petrolimex gas stations are still operating normally.

In Nghe An province, there are currently more than 600 gas stations, with 4 main locations. Mr. Cao Viet Dong

The petrol station at the NTMinh Khai - LHPhong intersection, Vinh City is always crowded with customers.

Regarding the "abnormal" business phenomenon of some gas stations, Mr. Tran Kim Thanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said: Gasoline and oil are commodities that are uniformly managed by the State, and the price increase is approved by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Gasoline and oil are one of the commodities whose price calculation formula is public, so the advantage is that everyone can monitor and know the trend of increasing or decreasing gas prices without causing fluctuations or surprises. To properly manage gas trading activities, the Department assigned the Market Management Department to regularly monitor, update information, inspect and handle. If stores are found to be hoarding goods or selling in small quantities waiting for price increases, they will be strictly handled. The Department has directed the Market Management Department to inspect stores with violations and will establish a surprise interdisciplinary inspection team tomorrow, August 29.

The recent increase and decrease in gasoline prices has affected market stability, social security and production in general, especially for units using large quantities of gasoline. Mr. Nguyen Dam Van - Director of Van Minh Travel Company, said: "After the two recent increases in gasoline prices, the company has encountered many difficulties. Although the company has not increased transportation prices, the number of customers has decreased. If gasoline prices continue to increase, the company will have to increase transportation fares, making business more difficult."

Sy Thanh