Motorists had a tough time in refilling their vehicles on Monday as many petrol and diesel outlets shut their operations from 5.30 p.m. onwards as part of their agitation demanding a hike in commission to dealers.
Vehicle owners had to wait in serpentine queues at company-owned and operated outlets in Begumpet, Nagole and Secretariat, among other areas. Similar was the situation at other outlets in Tadbund, Bowenpally, Autonagar, Ranigunj, Tarnaka and other areas, claimed Greater Hyderabad Petrol and Diesel Dealers Association (GHPDDA), which did not participate. There was a difference of opinion among dealers over participation in the strike. While the Confederation of Indian Petroleum Dealers (CIPD) claimed that out of 550-odd outlets in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy, majority of the dealers operated their outlets from 8.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m with a lunch break in between.
Petrol outlets on different highways worked from 7.30 p.m. to 4.30 a.m. for the convenience of truck operators. CIPD decided to operate on a single shift system in support of their demands. “Of the 200-odd Indian oil outlets, majority of them shut their operations after 5.30 p.m. We will continue to operate in single shift till the oil companies’ address our issues,” said G. Niranjan, president of AP Indian Oil Dealers Association.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We too demand a hike in commission but we are against the single shift operations as it causes inconvenience to people. Issues have to be solved amicably and not through agitations,” said GHPDDA president M. Prabhakar Reddy. Meanwhile, the oil companies maintained that there was no need to plan for alternative arrangements. “There is no need to worry as a few outlets are participating in the strike,” said S. Hariprasad, State Oil Coordinator.