Resource Crunch: Assam battling LPG and Oil scarcity

* Indefinite APMU strike against syndicateraj

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 17: The people of Assam are in for a scarcity of petroleum, LPG and other petroleum products from August 20 (Monday) with the Assam Petroleum Mazdoor Union (APMU) resorting to an indefinite strike from that day in protest against the syndicateraj at IOC’s (Indian Oil Corporation) loading terminal at Golai in Digboi.

The situation of syndicates in Assam has come to such a pass that a question continues to prick the conscience of every right-thinking people of the State: will the people of the State ever get rid of syndicates?

APMU general secretary Ramen Das alleged that some youths, who claim themselves as members of the Golai Association, charge Rs 200 from each oil tanker, besides hard selling some of their items like fire arresters, helmets, uniform, boots etc. According to Das, all such essential items are always with oil tankers as without them IOC never allows any tanker to enter its premises. With 150 oil tankers going to the terminal for loading daily, they pay around Rs 30,000 per day to the syndicate, Das alleged. He further said that political backing in the syndicate cannot be ruled out.

“The tanker drivers buy all such items from the youths as they can’t oppose it. They fear that they may face physical assaults if they dare to reject the items which the youths have been hard selling,” Das said, and added: “They don’t even dare to inform the police of this. They’re apprehensive of assault.”

According to Das, the APMU wrote a letter to the State’s Chief Secretary on the problems being faced by the drivers of oil tankers. “We made it clear that if our problems are not addressed, we’re going to start an indefinite strike from August 20. We, therefore, requested him to intervene and take necessary steps,” he said, and added: “Earlier on May 11, 2018 we had a tripartite talks with the district authority, Indian Oil and the labour union. At the meeting we demanded adequate deployment of security personnel at Digboi IOC terminal. We did request the SP to take steps not to let the situation escalate further. However, nothing tangible has been done as yet. This has compelled us to go for the indefinite strike from August 20.”