ESMA promulgated in Assam oil, gas sector

Guwahati, Aug 19: The Essential Services Maintenance (Assam) Act (ESMA) has been promulgated for six months in the oil and gas sector in Assam, which witnessed protests by Opposition parties against the Centre's decision to auction some oilfields.

A notification in this regard prohibiting strikes in the sector by officers, workmen, contract labourers, etc was issued yesterday.

The oil and gas sector includes any service in any oil field or refinery of any establishment or undertaking dealing with the production, supply or distribution of petroleum and petroleum products including natural gas, according to the notification.

The oil sector of Assam witnessed protests by Opposition parties since the Centre decided auctioning of 67 oilfields of the country, including 12 in Assam, last month.

Meanwhile, Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) today expressed disappointment at the promulgation of ESMA at the oilfields of Assam in view of the protest against the move to auction the marginal oil fields.

"This is another move of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and state to gag the voice of protest," AJYCP president Biraj Talukdar said in a release here.

People in this country are denied the right to protest even after the country celebrated its 70th Independence Day "but we will never bow down to any suppressive tactic of the state and we will intensify it", he added.

PTI