The Manipur Government has banned sale of petroleum products in bulk to the consumers with jerrycans and other containers by all dealers at retail outlets of petroleum products located in the valley districts with immediate effect. The step was a part of the stringent measures to prevent dealers in valley area from supplying oil at their respective retail outlets in containers with effect from Thursday. Deputy Director of Food and Civil Society issued a government notification in this regard saying supplying of oil by the dealers to the retail outlets in jerry cans or any other form of containers would not be allowed and necessary action would be taken up under the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act if anyone is found acting in defiance. It also warned that retail outlets who sold petroleum products in bulk to such consumers would be punishable under the Essential Commodities Act. The notification further said that power tillers, rice mills, saw mills and other domestic engines etc. were to purchase petrol by showing their licence and other related documents at the retail outlets. Most of the oil retail pumps in Imphal were seen distributing fuel to the vehicles in the state capital on Thursday. A source here in Imphal said that there was enough stock in the government oil depot for six days supply to the oil filling stations. Black marketeers also continued to sell petrol openly near the oil filling stations as some Numaligarh Refinery filling stations remained closed on Wednesday.