On March 6, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued urgent document No. 1415 sent to the People's Committees of provinces and cities requesting to strengthen inspection and control of gasoline and oil business activities in the context of the complicated international situation.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, escalating conflict in the Middle East region is strongly impacting the global energy market, affecting the supply and prices of gasoline and LPG. In that context, proactive market inspection and supervision is necessary to prevent law violations and ensure the legitimate rights of businesses and consumers.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade requests the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct the Departments of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies to strengthen grasping market developments, especially the supply and demand situation and gasoline and LPG selling prices in the area. The Market Management force is required to deploy professional measures, closely monitor the area, and promptly detect unusual signs such as goods shortages, supply disruptions, hoarding or unreasonable price increases for strict handling according to the provisions of law.
In parallel with inspection work, localities need to promote propaganda and guidance for gasoline and oil traders to strictly comply with legal regulations, enhance responsibility in ensuring supply and contribute to market stabilization.
Notably, the Ministry of Industry and Trade requested to clarify the responsibilities of heads and civil servants in charge of the area if violations occurring in the managed area are not promptly detected and handled.
For commune-level authorities, the Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes to proactively grasp the operating situation of gasoline and LPG retail stores, promptly detect cases of improper sales suspension, reducing sales time, reducing the amount of goods supplied to the market or opening but not selling goods when there is no legitimate reason. Violations need to be handled according to their authority or transferred to functional agencies for handling according to regulations.
In addition, other functional forces, according to their assigned tasks, need to proactively coordinate with the Market Management force and local authorities in inspection and control to detect, prevent and promptly handle fraudulent acts in gasoline and LPG business activities.
