Petrol Pumps In Odisha To Remain Shut From This Hour Today, Again Tomorrow

Bhubaneswar: Fule refilling stations in Odisha will remain shut for 12 hours from 6 pm to 6 am on May 27 and 28 to protest against the Centre’s move to slash fuel prices without increasing the dealer commission.

The petrol dealers across the state will have also decided not to purchase fuel from oil marketing companies (OMCs)—Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum—on these two days.

In a letter to the state-level coordinator, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, state president of petroleum dealers association said,” With reference to cited above I draw your kind attention on the following grievance which pains us mostly that the decision of the Union Govt. in consultation with all companies to reduce the price of petrol & diesel most welcome. Since it provides a huge respite to the general consumer but it seems that the decision was so taken completely closing the eyes towards the interest of the dealers and also putting them into the huge loss and unusual apprehension.”

This rationality has not been followed in reducing the price of petrol and diesel because of this wrong decision the dealers community is facing unprecedented financial loss and hardship, the letter stated.

“In protest against the unjust and on reasonable order the dealers across the state of Odisha have unanimously taken a decision to close down their business on 27th & 28th May, 2022 from 6pm (evening) to 6 am (morning),” it added.

To cool inflation heat, the Centre recently announced a cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 8 per litre and Rs 6 per litre respectively.