Date:01/12/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/12/01/stories/2003120109390300.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Petrol tanker owners launch indefinite stir

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD NOV. 30. About 550 petroleum tankers operating in the twin cities and adjoining Ranga Reddy district went off the roads in what is being termed an `indefinite strike' in support of the demands put forth by the Petroleum Tanker Owners Association.

The demands of the association include a hike in petroleum transport charges from the present Rs. 652 per trip to Rs. 1,500, payment of 30 per cent of the fare that was being cut without notice the past two months and certain changes in the terms and conditions of the transport contract, especially the fine print, according to Syed Habeeb Ali, president of the association.

When contacted, the Senior Regional Manager, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and State-level Coordinator for the Oil Industry, D.K. Pattanaik, told The Hindu that he had called for a meeting of senior representatives of the three oil companies, including Indianoil and Bharat Petroleum, with those of the tanker owners association on Monday morning. Senior officials were flying down from Chennai for the meeting to discuss the issue threadbare with the tanker owners, he said.

Asked about a possible disruption in retail supply, Mr. Pattanaik said as per normal practice towards the end of the month, all retail petrol dealers had their tanks full, which was equivalent for a three-day sale. This apart, the present stock position was enough for at least five days, he said, adding that there was no need for people to panic right away. "We do not consider this a crisis situation at all," he said.