Fuel supplies hit in Uttar Pradesh as 2,000 officers join strike

Nearly 2,000 oil sector employees struck work in Uttar Pradesh, the second day of the nationwide strike called by officers of public sector oil companies.

Nearly 2,000 oil sector employees struck work in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, the second day of the nationwide strike called by officers of public sector oil companies.

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Fuel supplies to major oil terminals and depots of Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum Corp have been hit in many cities in the state, including Lucknow, Allahabad and Varanasi, traders said.

The Oil Sector Officers Association (OSOA), representing nearly 45,000 employees in 14 organisations across the country, called for the strike, demanding higher wages.

At present, officials of Hindustan Petroleum Corp have not joined the strike, according to the Uttar Pradesh Petrol Dealer Traders' Association (UPDTA).

"As unloading of diesel and petrol tankers have come to a standstill, fuel crisis is bound to take place at petrol pumps and refineries," said UPDTA president V.N. Shukla.

In Uttar Pradesh, there are about 4,000 petrol pumps in 71 districts, the association said.

In Lucknow, there are nearly 110 petrol pumps. Out of 110, only 11 are owned by the Hindustan Petroleum, whose officials at present have not extended support to the strike, officials said.