Stock up on fuel as the city may soon have to go without diesel and petrol. The petrol and diesel bunk owners have announced a ‘no purchase protest’ on October 1 and 2 to pressure government to increase their commission.
According to representatives of the Bengaluru Petroleum Dealers’ Association, the decision is part of an all-India effort led by the dealers’ federation demanding the implementation of the Apurva Chandra Committee report which provides for a hike in commission to dealers. “Even though the recommendations have been approved, the petroleum ministry has not implemented the increase in commission. To protest this, we will stop all purchase of diesel and petrol on October 1 and 2. After this, the government will have time till October 15, and if they don’t relent, we will then go an indefinite strike”, said Mr Lokesh Krishna, secretary of Bengaluru Petroleum Dealers’ Association.
The government had approved the Committee report and orders were passed in January 2011. But it is yet to be gazetted and the orders implemented. It provides for hiking dealers’ commission to Rs 1.61 a litre of petrol from the present Rs 1.49 and a 4-5 paise hike on diesel over the prevailing commission of 89 paise.
The bunk owners, however, have assured that for the time being, there won’t be any shortage in the bunks as adequate stocks have already been purchased. “We have enough stocks for the time being and so that people won’t be put to inconvenience. However, after October 15, if the government does not relent, we will also implement cost-cutting measures such as restricting work hours to one shift of eight hours”, Mr Krishna added.