Daijiworld Media Network-Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, May 5: “Petrol pumps will remain closed every Sunday starting May 14 and all the 3,000 filling stations in the state will be open only for 12 hours during the daytime from May 15 onwards,” said Karnataka Federation of Petroleum Traders in an announcement on Thursday, May 4.

The decision has come after the federation decided to join the agitation launched by the consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers (CIPD) demanding an end to anomalies in dealers’ commission.

But the federation has allowed petrol pumps on highways to operate at night as well as on Sundays. The announcement says this was done considering the convenience of motorists.

“Centre has failed to settle several long-pending issues relating to dealer’s commission. The Apurva Chandra committee had recommended revision of dealers’ commission every six months. But even after 6 years of that recommendation, no action has been taken while our operation costs have increased manifold,” explained Federation president B R Ravindranath.

As part of the protest, petroleum dealers across the country will observe ‘No Purchase Day’ on May 10 and will not buy fuel from oil marketing companies (OMCs) on that day.

“Since the last revision in dealers’ commission, there has been a huge increase in all prices. We believe that about 25% of the operation cost will be saved by closing down pumps once a week and with the single-shift operation,” he said.

Ravindranath said the federation will consider 24/7 operations only if the government implemented the committee’s recommendations.

“There has been no progress since the time the government received the report. The government and OMCs point fingers at each other whenever we demand justice. We will continue the agitation until the government implements the report,” he said.