Petrol dealers threaten to go on strike in Mumbai on July 2, 3

Petrol pump dealers in Maharashtra have threatened to observe a two-day strike in Mumbai from July 2, to protest against government policy of withdrawal of protection of petrol pump lands under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act.

"We are protesting against the withdrawal of protection of petrol pump lands under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act and the consequential eviction and shutting down of petrol pumps by landlords, which is leading to total disruption in fuel supplies to the metropolis. All petrol, diesel and CNG pumps will remain shut on July 2 and 3," Petrol Dealers' Association president Ravi Shinde said in a statement issued in Mumbai today.

Already 16 of the total 253 pumps in Mumbai have been shut down due to inaction on the part of the government to protect these pumps, he said.

"The government has completely failed in preventing the closure of the pumps in the city. We fear that we may loose another 118 pumps, which, if happens, will lead to crippling the city of fuel supply in the future," Shinde said.

The association wants the government to bring oil companies within the ambit of the Rent Control Act so that they continue to run existing petrol pumps and their dealerships are protected.