Petrol product supplies running out; talks to end strike fail

New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) Petrol, diesel and LPG supplies
in India may run dry in the next two days, as an indefinite
nationwide strike by oil PSU officers entered the second day
Thursday even as talks to end the stir failed.

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," Indian Oil Corporation (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 tomorrow."

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 percent of
their output with production being impacted at its key
refineries of Panipat and Mathura.

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

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