Guwahati, November 6: The Greater Guwahati unit of the North East India Petroleum Dealers Association has announced a 24-hour shutdown of petrol pumps across Guwahati on November 12, citing multiple grievances against oil marketing companies.
According to the association’s statement, petrol pumps will remain closed from 6 am on November 12 to 6 am on November 13.
The association has accused oil marketing companies of adopting unilateral and arbitrary practices towards dealers. It alleged that dealers have been threatened with suspension of petrol and diesel supplies without prior notice or an opportunity to be heard.
The organisation also alleged that the existing consortium system for transporting fuel through tankers was cancelled without any reasonable justification, causing financial losses to dealers and transporters. It further accused an Indian Oil official of threatening to stop fuel supplies to a dealer.
The association has also alleged that dealers are being pressured to purchase additional lubricants as a condition for continuing the supply of petrol and diesel.
Other grievances include deductions from dealers’ SAP accounts without prior notice or due process, cancellation of consortium agreements, and non-payment of approved subsidies and reimbursements.
The association stated that dealers have also not received reimbursements for expenses related to the Legal Metrology Department, calibration charges and other approved costs. It has demanded that these payments be cleared within 15 days.
The association warned that if its grievances remain unresolved, it will launch an indefinite shutdown from November 23, 11 days after the 24-hour strike. During the proposed indefinite shutdown, the purchase and sale of petrol and diesel will remain suspended, the statement said.
