Guwahati, May 10 -- By Laxman Sharma

Digboi: Serious questions are being raised over the role of senior officials of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Assam Oil Division (AOD), after nearly Rs 20 lakh in payments to local suppliers remained unpaid for months despite repeated representations.

Several businessmen from Digboi have alleged that the prolonged non-payment of dues linked to the AOD canteen points to gross administrative negligence and possible irregularities involving both the canteen contractor, M/s Vidya Caterers, and certain officials of the AOD management.

The affected vendors, many of whom are small and medium-scale local entrepreneurs, have now demanded a high-level independent inquiry to identify those respons...