Petrol pumps end flash strike

Hyderabad, March 3: The flash strike launched by Petrol bunks in major towns of Andhra Pradesh was called off on Monday following successful talks between the Petrol Pump Owners Association and the Legal Metrology Department.

The petrol bunks in Hyderabad and other major cities and towns in Andhra Pradesh remained closed untill the talks were held on Monday afternoon. The petrol bunk owners went on strike in protest against the crackdown by legal metrology department against some outlets alleging tampering of dispensing units. The strike caused severe inconvenience to vehicle owners in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and other towns.

The Legal Metrology Department had booked about 50 cases against petrol bunks since Saturday for usage of dispensing pumps without having mandatory approval from the department. However, the AP Federation of Petroleum Traders contented that the dispensing pumps were installed by oil companies and approval was their responsibility. Last month, the legal metrology department had sealed 10 bunks for tampering fuel dispensing units using remote controls.

There are 6,000 fuel stations across the state, including 1,000 in Hyderabad and neighbouring Ranga Reddy district.

Meanwhile, Governor ESL Narasimhan on Monday came down heavily on the striking petrol bunks. He reportedly called up the Chief Secretary asking him to take immediate steps to end the strike.

– INN