Date:26/12/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/12/26/stories/2003122611420300.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Petroleum tankers to go on strike again

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD DEC. 25. The Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy District Petroleum Tanker Owners Association has decided to go on strike from December 27 midnight demanding fixation of new contract and rates for transportation of fuel.

This is the second time in a month that the association has decided to go on strike. "We are being forced to go on strike again as the petroleum companies have failed to keep their assurances," the association president, Syed Habeeb Ali, told a press conference on Thursday.

The Commissioner of Civil Supplies had `directed' the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited to finalise tenders pertaining to new contract for transportation of fuel by the month-end.

"But none of the three companies has come forward to finalise the contract and fix the rates forcing us to stop the services again," Mr. Ali said.