Scotching rumours about an impending petrol traders’ strike on October 1 and 2, the Federation of All India Petroleum Traders (FAIPT) on Saturday said the pumps would operate normally on these days.
“This is false news. Pumps will operate normally and dealers shall make purchases on October 1 according to their requirement keeping in view that October 2 is a public holiday,” said Mr Ajay Bansal, general secretary of the federation.
The petroleum ministry has already written to oil marketing companies to revise dealers’ commission for petrol at the earliest and there is no reason for members to resort to agitational approach, he said.
In respect of revision of dealers’ commission on diesel, the ministry has asked oil marketing companies to submit a proposal within 15 days, he added.
Petrol pump dealers have sought a revision of commission on petrol from Rs 1.49 a litre to Rs 2.16 for every litre (a hike of 0.67 paise) and on diesel from Rs 0.91 a litre to Rs 1.32 for every litre (increase by 0.41 paise).
“The operating cost of petrol pumps including wages and electricity bills have gone up drastically, which calls for an increase in their commission,” said Mr Bansal.
Since petrol is a de-regulated product, OMCs can revise the commission. The oil ministry has issued a letter to them on September 20, he added.