CPI (M) hits out a Centre, oil PSUs on diesel shortage

Chennai, Aug 27 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today flayed the Centre and public sector oil companies for a shortage of diesel in the State, even as truck owners threatened to launch an indefinite strike.

In a statement here, CPI(M) Tamil Nadu Secretary N Varadarajan said diesel shortage, coupled with power cut, seriously affected the people all over the State.

It was condemnable that the Centre and oil companies had not come forward to take steps to resolve issue though diesel shortage continued for more than ten days in the State.

The clarifications offered by the Centre and State Governments would not help to solve the problem, he said and demanded the Centre and oil companies take immediate steps to provide adequate supply of diesel in the retail outlets.

Meanwhile, truck owners in the State staged a demonstration in front of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) Headquarters here, against shortage of diesel.

Association president Sukumaran said dealers at retail outlets, instead of giving priority to trucks while selling diesel, sold diesel to those who brought cans and barrels at a higher price.

If the situation did not come to normal, they would take a decision on indefinite strike at a meeting to be held in Bangalore next week, he said.

An IOC official, however, denied the charge the dealers were selling diesel at a higher price. He said the demand for diesel had increased suddenly as companies started buying the fuel due to power cut in the State.

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