Petrol pump owners call off strike

Ranchi, Jan 3 (UNI) About 500 petrol pump owners, who went on an indefinite strike in Jharkhand this morning in protest against the testing method for adulteration of petroleum products, called off their agitation following successful negotiations with the public sector oil companies this evening.

The petrol pumps had also stopped lifting of petrol and diesel from depots this morning.

Jharkhand Petroleum Dealers' Association president Ashok Singh told UNI that the strike was called off after a meeting with state coordinator of PSU's oil companies Shivashish Dey.

Mr Singh said two of the three major demands were accepted in which oil companies would impart training to pump employees regarding marker test conducted for checking adulteration. Secondly, no kerosene tanker would be used to ferry petrol and diesel as it might also lead to adulteration.

As per third demand, Mr Dey informed that formalities were being completed at higher level to provide free marker kits to petrol pumps.

Earlier, long queues were seen in the pumps owned by private companies like Reliance following the strike.

UNI