State-run oil firm officials warn of strike from Wednesday
6 Jan 2009, 1338 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

New Delhi, Jan 6 Demanding higher pay and perquisites, officials of state-run oil firms in India have threatened to go on strike from Wednesday, which could disrupt in fuel supplies and refinery operations.

Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary R S Pandey disclosed this development here last evening.

The Government has made an attempt to sort out the matter by calling for a meeting of representatives of officers of oil companies, but they have refused to attend any meeting without getting an assurance from the Government that there demands would be met.

"The High Courts, several High Courts have considered this matter and have already declared such a strike as illegal. So, the officers were told that notwithstanding the genuineness of their demands which will be considered at the level of Union Home Minister in consultation with concerned Minister and they shouldn't indulge in something which the High Court has declared as illegal," said Pandey.

He also noted that oil companies have made contingency plans to ensure that fuel supplies are not be affected.

"We are also trying to resource oil products from private sector refineries if our refineries are not going to operate in full scale. Private refineries have been contacted and they have assured us that they will rise to the challenge and even at the cost of their export obligations. They will meet the domestic requirements of the country," added Pandey.

In recent years, unions at oil firms have called off strikes before supplies are hit. (ANI)