Petrol pump owners calls off strike tomorrow

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) After an assurance from the Petroleum Ministry, Petrol pump owners today called off their proposed two-day strike that was to begin tomorrow.

''The Government has assured us to set up an interim committee by May 1 to look into our demands of a five per cent margin on invoice value,'' FAIPT president Ashok Badhwa told reporters here.

This was announced after a four-hour long meeting of the Federation of All India Petroleum Traders (FAIPT) with Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and other officals here.

FAIPT, claiming support of about 32,000 petrol pumps in the country, had threatened to go on a strike from midnight tonight.

In the presence of Mr Deora, FAIPT president Ashok Badhwa told reporters that the Government has assured them to set up an interim committee by May 1 to look into their demands.

Mr Badhwa added that the Government also assured to take the appropriate measures.

Yesterday, Mr Deora appealed the dealers of petroleum products (petrol and diesel) to withdraw their proposed two-day strike starting April 13, saying their main demand of raising commission on sale of petrol and diesel will be considered.

The Government will endeavour to take a decision on the demand of the FAIPT for increase in commission on petrol and diesel by May 1 after consultation with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), he said.

Regarding the issue of raising stock variation ceiling, the representatives of the federation were informed that a study by Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) has already been commissioned to study the impact of different climatic conditions in India on petrol and diesel stocks.

The IIP will be submitting its report by middle of July which will be examined expeditiously for appropriate decision. The issue of stock variation requires in-depth and serious scientific studies before effecting any change in the present norms.

The pump operators are seeking a 5 per cent commission on petrol and diesel sales. Currently, dealers get Rs 0.89 on sale of every litre of petrol and Rs 0.52 on sale of every litre of diesel.

At current price of Rs 42.85 a litre of petrol, the five per cent commission works out to Rs 2.14. Similarly, on the current price of Rs 30.25 a litre of diesel, the commission works out to Rs 1.51 per litre.

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