CNG dealers will go ahead with strike

With the Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) unwilling to budge, the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) dealers will go ahead with their strike on November 2, thus inconveniencing those commuting by autorickshaw and taxi in the city.

With the Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) unwilling to budge, the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) dealers will go ahead with their strike on November 2, thus inconveniencing those commuting by autorickshaw and taxi in the city.

HT Image

The CNG dealers have been demanding that their commission be hiked from 87 paise/kg to Rs 2.50/kg. According to the CNG dealers, the oil companies and MGL have been repeatedly ignoring the demands made by the petrol dealers’ association on their behalf. More than 1 lakh autos, 45,000 taxis and 2,500 BEST buses in city run on CNG.

On Monday, MGL, main supplier of CNG, issued a statement that read: “MGL has valid agreements with oil marketing companies (OMCs) for dispensation of CNG at their outlets. The commission paid to the petrol dealers is the sole responsibility of the OMCs. Hence, MGL is not involved in deciding the commission paid to the petrol dealers.”

Disappointed with MGL’s response, the association too has no plans to co-operate. “The stand taken by MGL is most unfortunate as the dealers get their margin from MGL. Oil companies merely give us our due commission. The last revision in 2006, too, was made by MGL, which was sent to us through the oil companies,” Ravi Shinde, president, petrol dealers’ association.