Fuel crisis hits Jharkhand as pump owners begin protest

Ranchi, Jan 3 (UNI) Owners of about 500 petrol pumps in Jharkhand today stopped lifting petrol and diesel from the depots of public sector oil companies protesting the testing method of adulteration of petroleum products.

The owners have demanded appointment of local agencies instead of private agencies to test the products at regualr intervals.

They have warned to intensify the stir if their demands were not fulfilled immediately, sources said.

People had a tough time getting petrol and long queues were seen at the pumps owned by private companies like Reliance.

The Bharat petroleum, Indian oil and other public sector companies in Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro did not lift petrol and diesel from their depots.

The state petroleum dealers association have demanded that proper training should be imparted to the petrol pump employees besides the availbality of marker kit.

UNI