 "Kerala petrol bunks to close on Feb 10")
Petrol bunks across Kerala would remain closed on February 10 in protest against the decision of oil marketing companies to open more outlets in the state without strict compliance to basic amenities and for raising the commission of the traders.
This was announced by the office bearers of the All Kerala Federation of Petroleum Traders (AFPT) today. The federation said it had decided to go for a two-day strike on February 18 and 19, unless their demands are allowed.
Kerala has around 2,000 petrol pumps and the average monthly sale is less than 150 kilolitres. In last July, oil companies had invited applications to open 1,600 new outlets across the state.
The association has approached the Kerala high court against this and the division bench of the court ordered to form fresh terms and conditions for opening new outlets. Against this, the oil marketing companies moved the Supreme Court.
In December, the chief minister had convened a meeting and assured office AFPT that district collectors would not issue 'no objection certificates' (NOC) for new outlets.
However, on January 2, deputy secretary of Civil Supplies department, directed district collectors to issue NOCs wherever the companies wanted to open outlets, said Muraleedharan.
He demanded the government should withdraw the letter issued by the deputy secretary of the Civil Supplies department. The strike on February 10 will be a token one and unless the government intervenes., we will go on with the two days strike, he added.
This was announced by the office bearers of the All Kerala Federation of Petroleum Traders (AFPT) today. The federation said it had decided to go for a two-day strike on February 18 and 19, unless their demands are allowed.
Kerala has around 2,000 petrol pumps and the average monthly sale is less than 150 kilolitres. In last July, oil companies had invited applications to open 1,600 new outlets across the state.
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S Muraleedharan, president, AFPT, told Business Standard oil marketing companies were in the process of opening new outlets without considering the viability of the pumps.
The association has approached the Kerala high court against this and the division bench of the court ordered to form fresh terms and conditions for opening new outlets. Against this, the oil marketing companies moved the Supreme Court.
In December, the chief minister had convened a meeting and assured office AFPT that district collectors would not issue 'no objection certificates' (NOC) for new outlets.
However, on January 2, deputy secretary of Civil Supplies department, directed district collectors to issue NOCs wherever the companies wanted to open outlets, said Muraleedharan.
He demanded the government should withdraw the letter issued by the deputy secretary of the Civil Supplies department. The strike on February 10 will be a token one and unless the government intervenes., we will go on with the two days strike, he added.