Petrol Pumps in Kamrup District Protest Against Oil Companies
Protest by Petroleum Dealers in Kamrup
A file image of a petrol pump in Guwahati. (Photo: Chinmoy Bhowmick/'X')
GUWAHATI, Nov 13: Petrol stations in Kamrup (Metro) and Kamrup district were shut down on Thursday as petroleum dealers initiated a 24-hour protest termed ‘no-purchase, no-sale’ in response to alleged mistreatment and arbitrary actions by oil marketing companies (OMCs).
The strike, organized by the North East India Petroleum Dealers’ Association (NEIPDA), commenced at 6 am on Thursday and is set to last until 6 am on Friday.
This shutdown significantly impacted gig workers, taxi drivers, and two-wheeler riders, whose daily income heavily relies on a steady fuel supply. While many had filled their tanks on Wednesday in anticipation of the protest, others from Guwahati and surrounding areas traveled to Meghalaya to refuel.
Rajib Goswami, president of the Greater Guwahati Unit of NEIPDA, indicated that if their concerns remain unaddressed, the association will initiate an indefinite closure of petrol pumps statewide starting November 23. Dealers have accused oil companies, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), of making unilateral decisions and threatening to halt fuel supplies.
Key grievances include the abrupt cancellation of tank-truck transportation agreements without prior notice and pressure to buy additional products, especially lubricants. Dealers have also expressed concerns regarding unauthorized deductions from their SAP accounts and pressure to install specific point-of-sale machines.
“The OMCs have made unauthorized deductions from dealers’ SAP accounts and have delayed the reimbursement of approved subsidies and other payments,” Goswami stated.
He further highlighted the pressure to sell products like lubricants, noting that unsold inventory takes up space at petrol stations, poses safety hazards, and leads to financial losses for dealers.
“Nowadays, vehicle owners prefer to buy lubricants directly from dealers instead of petrol stations. We also face space limitations, while OMCs deduct the cost of these products before supplying them to us,” he explained.
“Oil marketing companies are not law enforcement agencies and should not intimidate dealers,” he added.
The association is calling for the reinstatement of canceled agreements, the reversal of disputed deductions, and the settlement of outstanding payments.