Distribution of petroleum products affected due to strike

Kochi, Sep 20 (UNI) The movement and distribution of petroleum products, including aviation turbine fuel, benzene and toulene, from the BPCL Kochi Refinery was affected following a 48-hour strike called by the workmen to press for higher bonus.

The strike, which started yesterday, had affected the distribution of products in lorries as the truck workers and drivers also supported the refinery workers' agitation, a spokesman for Kochi Refinery said.

However, movement of petrol, kerosene and diesel was not affected as they were transported through railway wagons, he said.

While 15 to 20 per cent of the refinery's goods were moved through trucks, the balance was transported through railway wagons.

Nearly 150 to 200 railway wagons had left the refinery with petroleum products for distribution centres in Tamil Nadu, he said.

Stating that only about 45 per cent of the refinery workers were on strike, the spokesman said the strike had not affected the refinery's production as the plants were running smoothly.

''We are maintaining our daily production of about 24,000 tonnes,'' he added.

The National Coordination Committee of Trade Unions, BPCL, had called for a 48-hour strike to protest against ''discrimination'' in giving bonus.

The strike is scheduled to end tomorrow.

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