The Southern Region Bulk LPG Transport Operators Association (SRBLPGTOA) began their indefinite strike from Monday. The association made the announcement on June 22, based on the decision taken at their general body meeting that was held in Namakkal town on June 20.
Talking about the strike, president of SRBLPGTOA, M Ponnambalam said that, three oil companies including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are not providing job orders to many bullet tank owners for the past nine months. “Many of our association members raised opposition against the oil companies during general body meeting,” he said. He also said that, the general body has authorized the association to announce for indefinite strike within seven days from the general body meeting. “Based on the decision, the SRGLPGTOA commenced the strike,” he said.
The Namakkal based SRBLPGTOA comprising LPG bullet operators from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Puducherry. The association members operate more than 5,500 bullet tankers across South India. They transport LPG from the refineries of those three oil companies to bottling plants.
The oil companies will make an agreement with the bullet tank operators. The companies will renew the agreement once in five years. Such an agreement was ended with the bullet tank operators on October 31, 2018. When the oil companies came forward to renew the agreement, the SRBLPGTOA demanded to give job orders for all the 5,500 bullet tankers. The oil companies also had agreed to their demand. “But, they have not fulfilled their promises,” Ponnambalam said, adding that, they have given the orders only for 4,800 tankers and they did not considered the rest.
Meanwhile, officials from the oil companies said that, their LPG agencies have sufficient stocks for the next 15 days. “There will not be any demand for LPG cylinders and we will settle the issue as early as possible,” said an official.
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