Assam MLA Asks Chief Minister to Ease Fuel Purchase Limits for Farmers

Guwahati: Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia has called on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to grant farmers relief from new federal regulations governing fuel sales. The restrictions, which stem from recent central government notifications, forbid petrol pumps from dispensing fuel into containers or non-vehicle receptacles.

Saikia raised the alarm via social media, noting that these rules create major hurdles for the agricultural sector. Many farmers in the region depend on transporting fuel in separate containers to power essential machinery, including tractors, power tillers, and irrigation pumps. The MLA warned that the current mandate threatens to stall critical cultivation efforts if access to fuel is not protected.

In his appeal to the Chief Minister and state minister Pijush Hazarika, the MLA emphasized that the government must secure special provisions for the rural workforce. He stated, "Ensuring uninterrupted access to fuel for agricultural purposes is essential to protect farmers' interests and prevent disruptions to farming activities across Assam." Saikia hopes the state will now intervene to negotiate exemptions that keep local farms operational.