Petrol pumps go on strike to protest raids

Petrol bunks in Hyderabad and other major cities and towns in Andhra Pradesh remained closed for the second day Monday to protest the crackdown by legal metrology department against some outlets allegedly tampering dispensing units.

The flash strike, which began Sunday evening, continued in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and other towns causing severe inconvenience to vehicle owners.

Many vehicle owners were seen outside the closed fuel stations. As some bunks of the Indian Oil were open, many people were pushing their two-wheelers to the nearest open outlet. But even at the bunks which were functioning, long queues were seen. The motorists were standing for hours for their turn.

The legal metrology department Saturday launched state-wide crackdown on fuel stations to check the usage of dispensing pumps that lack mandatory approval from the department. The officials booked about 50 cases.

According to the AP Federation of Petroleum Traders, the dispensing pumps are installed by oil companies and approval was their responsibility. The dealers argue that if there are technical glitches in dispensing units, they can't be held responsible as oil companies have installed them.

The federation alleged that the officials were shutting down the bunks without giving notice. The traders have threatened to continue the strike till the raids were stopped.

Last month, the legal metrology department had sealed 10 bunks for tampering fuel dispensing units using remote controls.

There are 6,000 fuel stations across the state, including 1,000 in Hyderabad and neighbouring Ranga Reddy district.