Talks to end oil strike fails

Petrol, diesel and LPG supplies may run dry in the next two days, as an indefinite nationwide strike by oil PSU officers entered the second day on Thursday even as talks to end the stir failed.

Petrol, diesel and LPG supplies may run dry in the next two days, as an indefinite nationwide strike by oil PSU officers entered the second day on Thursday even as talks to end the stir failed.

HT Image

Reports from across the country said petrol pumps are running out of stock, including some in the national capital, while aviation-refuelling services were delayed because of the absence of officers.

"We met the Oil Sector Officers Association leadership this morning but progress could not be made as they were harping on the same issues. We said we can do nothing since a high-level ministerial committee is already looking into it. But they didn't budge," IOC Chairman Sarthak Behuria said.

The striking officers are protesting lower-than-expected increase in pay.

"We have been managing the situation till now, but, there are supply constraints," Behuria said, adding that "if the strike continues, we might see dry-outs from Friday."

There was a backlog of domestic LPG supplies in many parts particularly in the South as the truckers' stir disrupted supply.

Behuria said the problem was because of inadequate loading at the refineries and petrol pumps keeping low inventories in anticipation of fuel price cuts.

IOC's seven refineries were producing only 40 per cent of their output with production being impacted at its key refineries of Panipat and Mathura.

Its Koyali refinery in Gujarat was producing only 25 per cent of the normal output, while BPCL's Mumbai refinery was operating at 70 per cent of its capacity.

The government admitted there were shortages but said the situation was under control.