LPG Crisis continues in Assam; Transporters' conducting strike

The LPG transporters, under North Eastern, Packed LPG Transporters Association, are conducting a strike since September 8 backing various demands.

A government release said that necessary instructions regarding this was sent to deputy commissioners and Superintendent of police of Tinsukia, Kamrup, Chirang, Cachar, and Dibrugarh districts with information to DGP Assam. The instruction requested them to take necessary action to make sure that the entry points/gates to the LPG bottling plants under their respective jurisdiction are kept open, assisting smooth passage of the vehicles/ employees/ workers to the bottling plants.

Principal Secretary of food, civil supplies & consumer affairs department on September12, made contact with higher officials of IOCL to assess the situation and discusses the issues raised by the association.

According to the release, officials were instructed to adopt appropriate steps for maintaining law and order and ensuring uninterrupted supply of LPG packed cylinders to the consumers.

The Govt. release said," The issue was also taken up with the additional chief secretary, home and political department requesting to issue necessary instructions to DGP Assam and all concerned to ensure that picketers are not allowed to carry out blockade of the bottling plants and prevent disruption and distribution of LPG packed cylinders to the consumers.

The IOCL authorities told that they have organised meetings on September 11 and September 12 with the office bearers and member of the association to settle and discuss demands.

The association had ceased transportation of cylinders to the LPG agencies across the Northeast from September 9 in protest against the alleged alterations in the terms and conditions regarding the tendering process by the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd authorities. It also protested against following the reduction of profit margin by 20 per cent also alleged shifting of the operations of the IOCL head office from Guwahati to Kolkata.

According to sources discussions between the representatives of the association and IOCL authorities held on Tuesday and Wednesday evening left disappointed as it was unable to make consensus after which the association decided to continue the agitation indefinitely.