Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Apr 14: Petrol bunks in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts will remain open during Sundays, a statement from fuel dealers says, effectively closing the fears that fuel would not be available on Sundays in the coastal districts from May 14.

It is said that Karnataka Petroleum Dealers Association has not supported the move initiated by dealers from other states. Petroleum dealers in other states had said that they will close the bunks on Sundays with effect from May 14 protesting against non implementation of many of their demands.

Haryana Petroleum Dealers Association had decided to close petrol bunks in the state on Sundays from May 10 if their demands were not met. The demands included more commission for selling the products and stopping harassment from officials at the bunks. They also demanded that no more licences should be issued for new petrol bunks.

Speaking to media, Vishwas Shenoy, general secretary of Karnataka Petroleum Dealers Association said “Closing bunks on Sundays is not a right move. When we close the bunks on Sundays, bunks belonging to private sector can remain open. This will create more problems for us. We have the demands and the government should look into them. But closing on Sundays in protest is not a solution for the problems we are facing. There are other avenues.”

District associations of petroleum dealers in all 24 districts come under Karnataka Petroleum Dealers Association, which is a federation.