Govt averts fuel, LPG crisis

From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Nov 29: The North East Petroleum Mazdoor Union (NEPMU) on Wednesday clarified that it did not initiate an oil transporters’ strike as was construed from its public letter “leaked prematurely”.
Allaying fears about a shortage of fuel and LPG ahead of the festive season, it also said that concerns over alleged harassment of oil tanker drivers and helpers in Meghalaya by the police have been resolved following a meeting with Pravin Bakshi, Commissioner and Secretary for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
On November 27, the NEPMU wrote to Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister, Comingone Ymbon saying it was contemplating the cessation of oil loading and transportation in Meghalaya due to police harassment.
The state police undertook raids along National Highway 6 on November 24 after the Petroleum Dealers’ Association of Meghalaya (PDAM) complained of oil theft and malpractices. The raids angered the NEPMU.
Officials from the East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district administrations attended the meeting at the Nongpoh Circuit House organised by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department. Apart from the representatives of the NEPMU, the meeting was attended by members of the PDAM, Meghalaya Indane Distributors’ Association (MIDA), and officials from IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL.
Bakshi acknowledged the concerns raised by the NEPMU but underscored the government’s commitment to fair labour practices, statutory rights, and the need for ensuring smooth movement of oil tankers. He also said the ongoing police actions do not inconvenience those adhering to the rules.
Ramen Das, the general secretary of NEPMU indicated that the issues have been resolved.
“We did not initiate any strike, which was attributed to a leaked letter. The abundance of fuel and LPG will be assured,” he said.
RL Blah, the president of MIDA and Kennedy Khyriem, the president of PDMA, elucidated the potential ramifications of a strike on the supply chain of essential commodities. They also condemned the malpractices within the industry and pledged increased vigilance to combat such activities.