LPG distributors defer strike by two months

The LPG distributors in the state have postponed their indefinite strike to press for the exemption of LPG from The Essential Commodities & Licensing Order by 60 days.

This came on the heels of the government's decision to 'sympathetically' consider their demand. The distributors' contention was that since LPG is exempted from the control order in most of the states, it should also be exempted from the control order in Gujarat.

"A delegation of the All India LPG Distributors Federation (Gujarat) had met S K Nanda, principal secretary, civil supplies department, last week to discuss the various demands made by the LPG distributors. The delegation also met civil supplies minister Kaushik Patel," Surat LPG Distributors Association president Jagdish Mehta, said.

"The minister assured that he will hold meetings with the distributors, in a bid to sort out the exemption issue. In view of this assurance, the LPG distributors have deferred the indefinite strike, which would have begun on May 14, by two months," he added.

It is worth mentioning here that the distributors have been asking the state government to exempt LPG from The Essential Commodities & Licensing Order for the last ten years.

According to the distributors, LPG is freely available and hence the move to continue classifying it among essential commodities does not make any sense.

They also alleged that they have to face unnecessary harassment from the officers of civil supplies department on account of the license order.

"The delegation also apprised the minister of the problems faced by the distributors on account of the strict action taken against them by the officers of the supply department over the smallest of mistakes or irregularities. They also told the minister about the legal hassles the distributors have to face. The minister has issued orders with regards to the distributors' demands," he said.