Transporter's strike likely to affect LPG supply:IOC

Noting that the transporters agitating was not a "healthy practice" even negotiation was "in progress", state owned-Indian Oil Corporation today warned that due to the refusal of truckers to ply the trucks supply of bulk LPG and production of petrol and diesel was likely to get affected.
Referring to the public tender which was floated by the three oil marketing companies Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation State Level Coordinator, U V Mannur said all the 1,694 bidders from Southern region have "uniformly quoted single high rate".
"In order to bring reasonable parity in the rates on all India basis, the industry conducted three rounds of negotiations with the bidders. But the bidders did not comply with the negotiation process as per tender conditions.", he said in a statement.

"The transporters unilaterally withdrew their trucks with effect from January 31, leading to disruption in supply of LPG", he said.
The matter was taken to the State government and a tripartite meeting was convened by the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Commissioner yesterday, he said.
"During the meeting the transporters were appealed to withdraw the strike as it was likely to cause hardship to the public. It was also highlighted that resorting to agitation while negotiation is in progress is not a healthy practice", he said.
"The continuing agitation is likely to seriously affect the bulk LPG supplies to 48 LPG bottling plants in Southern region. It will also affect production evacuation at import locations as the truckers have refused to place the tank trucks for loading. Further the refineries are also facing severe containment problem which is likely to affect the production of other fuels such as petrol and diesel", he said.

Oil marketing companies have a fleet of about 3,200 bulk LPG tank trucks for moving about 2.50lakh metric tonnes of bulk LPG every month by road from supply sources to various LPG bottling plants in Southern region, he said.