Hyderabad: Petrol pumps in TS and AP went on a “no oil purchase strike” on Thursday as part of a two-day nation-wide agitation programme demanding increase in dealers’ commissions.
The announcement of the strike triggered panic buying in both states and several petrol pumps, especially in the districts, went dry by Thursday evening, causing severe inconvenience to the motorists.
The situation is likely to worsen on Friday as dealers will not purchase fuel from OMCs for the second consecutive day. OMC officials, meanwhile, have assured that there will not be any fuel shortage since the existing stocks available with petrol pumps will cater to the demand for two days and urged motorists not to go for panic buying.
Fuel sales at bunks only till stocks last
Dealers will not purchase fuel from OMCs for two days — on Thursday and Friday — and will sell fuel only till stocks last.
In addition, the dealers will run bunks in single shifts, from 9 am to 6 pm, from November 5.
If the Centre fails to respond to their demands, they have threatened to shut down petrol pumps on November 15. The dealers have decided to observe holidays on Sunday and bank holidays from November 6.
General secretary of Telangana Petroleum Dealers’ Association G. Vinay Kumar said, “We are forced to go on strike since there is no response from the Centre on our demands. We have been waiting since 2011.”
Oil marketing company officials said talks with dealers were on. “There is no need for panic buying. Talks are going on and the issue will be resolved very soon. The existing stocks can last for two days,” said a senior OMC official.
