Petrol Pumps In South India And Maharashtra To Remain Shut On Every Sunday From May 14

Petroleum dealers across South India and Maharashtra have threatened to go on a strike for a day on May 10. The ‘No Purchase Day’ will be observed to pressurise the government for a higher commission.

The petrol pumps dealers association has said that the strike will not cause much disruption, but is aimed at sending a message to state-run oil marketing companies that they are opting for ‘war path’.

Earlier, petrol dealers had withdrawn their strike in January, following an assurance from state-run oil marketing companies on the revision of commission rates. A written commitment was given to the dealers under the Apurva Chandra Committee report. However, no such changes were made.

Following the May 10 strike, petrol pump dealers will also shut shop every Sunday. The weekly Sunday off will start from May 14 while from May 15, petrol pumps will operate from 9 AM to 6 PM to cut costs. President of Petrol Dealers’ Association Ravi Shinde said that the petrol dealers in the country are following PM Narendra Modi’s message in 2015 to cut fuel costs by reducing imports.

The agitation would continue till the business is viable and higher margins are announced.

However, fuel would be available for emergency services, like ambulances, on Sunday.

The move has been called upon by the Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers (CIPD). All India Petroleum Dealers’ Association has distanced itself from the decision.

CIPD has a presence in South India (Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka) and Maharashtra. The association claims to have 25,000 outlets.

As reported by Business Standard, fuel consumption in India has been on a rise. In 2015-16, the overall fuel demand increased from 165.5 million tons in the previous financial year to 183.5 million tons. Diesel consumption has increased 7.5 percent to 74.6 million.

The Logical Indian disapproves Petrol Dealers Association’s decision to shut petrol pumps every Sunday. The move will be highly inconvenient for transport companies and for those who travel long distances for work, or otherwise.