Date:27/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/27/stories/2008082757360100.htm

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Petroleum dealers not to restrict timing of outlets

N. Ravi Kumar

Decision follows directive from the State government

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

LONG WAIT: Vehicles wait to fill diesel at an outlet in Meenambakkam in Chennai on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: A day after petroleum dealers resolved to limit the retail outlets’ working hours and close shop on Sundays, the State government on Tuesday directed them to refrain from implementing the decision.

In a day of fast paced developments, Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy with senior officials of the Food department held discussions with the Tamilnadu Petroleum Dealers’ Association and Indian Oil Corporation representatives. Sources among those who attended the meeting at the Secretariat, said while questioning the proposed move of the trade, with effect from September 15, Mr.Tripathy categorically said it could not be allowed.

He told the meeting that petrol bunks come under the Essential Commodities Act and hence were supposed to function round the clock. On Monday, at a meeting of the Association in Salem, resolutions were passed fixing the working hours of the outlets from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and declaring Sundays off.

Fuel shortage

The State government directive came in the backdrop of the fuel shortage, particularly diesel, being reported for nearly ten days from different parts of the State, including Chennai and outskirts. The period was also marked by several outlets running out of fuel stock. On Tuesday, long queues of vehicles waiting to fill fuel were witnessed at several petrol bunks.

The Chief Secretary, according to the sources, said those dealers who found it difficult to follow the rules should surrender the dealership.

When the dealers’ representative explained the difficulties in keeping the outlets open without adequate stock and with terminals of the oil marketing companies functioning only six days a week, Mr. Tripathy urged the companies to maintain adequate supplies.

Officials of the State government, including Special Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi, also asked the oil companies to desist from insisting on advance payments for the stock from dealers.

Following the meeting, Food Minister E.V.Velu in a press release said Monday’s decision of the dealers was in violation of the law and the outlets should function as usual.

The oil companies also should not give cause for complaints and ensure against dryouts at the outlets. The Minister called upon customers not to purchase in excess apprehending a shortage.

Letter to Deora

The Minister said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday wrote to Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora urging him to increase diesel allocation to the State by 75,000 kilo litres from the existing 4.2 lakh KL.

Hours after the meeting, Tamilnadu Petroleum Dealers’ Association president M. Kannan told The Hindu over telephone from Coimbatore that in line with the State government’s directive it had been decided to withdraw the resolution pertaining to the timings and weekly holiday. A spokesman of IOC said oil companies were maintaining adequate supplies.