Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Petrol pumps across Assam went dark at 6 am on November 12. The 24-hour shutdown serves as a statewide no-purchase, no-sale protest. The North East India Petroleum Dealers Association called the strike to stop what they describe as harassment by oil marketing companies. The doors stay locked until 6 am on November 13.
Dealers target companies like the Indian Oil Corporation for high-handed tactics. The association claims these firms act without due process. They ignore dealer input entirely. NEIPDA general secretary Arup Goswami claims the companies act beyond their authority. He said, "Oil marketing companies were acting beyond their authority and harassing dealers without providing them an opportunity to explain their position."
The list of grievances is long. Dealers report threats to cut off fuel supplies and the sudden cancellation of tank-truck consortium deals. The firms reportedly block fuel-loading facilities and force dealers to install point-of-sale machines despite ongoing financial losses. Further, the companies are accused of pulling money from dealer SAP accounts and delaying the payment of approved subsidies. The industry also feels the sting of mandatory lubricant purchases for products customers never ordered.
The association demands the restoration of all cancelled agreements. They want disputed deductions stopped and pending dues paid immediately. If these demands remain ignored, the state faces a total fuel crisis. NEIPDA warned of an indefinite shutdown starting November 23.
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