Tankers call off strike against IOC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 26 2017: The All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters' Association (AMPPTA) has announced its decision to call off the indefinite strike that was launched against the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) recently.

In a joint meeting held today at the Old Oil Depot, Chingmeirong and attended by transporters, oil tanker drivers and tanker owners, a collective decision was taken to call off the strike, which was in effect from November 23 .

After the meeting, A Tamphayaima, secretary of the AMPPTA told reporters that they had taken the decision after considering the State Government and the IOC's assurance that their demands will be fulfilled.

It was also resolved in the meeting, Tamphayaima added, that as usual, regular duty will resume with transportation of fuel to the Malom Oil Depot and from outside the State.

On the strike, the secretary said that the transporters were against the terms and conditions and various criteria in the newly floated tender of the IOC.

Tamphayaima informed that the tender, with a number of rules and guidelines, had created apprehension among the Malom-based transporters that they may be restricted from transporting fuel with their nearly 600 tankers.

He explained that under the conditions stipulated by the IOC, the lifespan of 9 Malom-based oil tanker is 15 years.

Yet, the fuel tankers had been in force for a long time despite the unfavourable law and order situation and pathetic roads in Manipur.

Then, in the newly floated tender, he said, the terms and conditions and the criteria intend not only to do away with the existing oil tankers and replace them with newly branded tankers but also put various tankers that were off-road into work.

Many of these off-road tankers were once used for transporting fuel from loading and unloading points.

This had become a cause for apprehension, Tamphayaima added.

The secretary continued that some of the current transporters at the Malom depot of the IOC have been providing fuel to various pumps in the valleys and hills of Manipur for more than 30 years.

He said, they include drivers witfi long years of experience, and oil tanker owners who have been earning a livelihood from this trade for a long time.

Now in the twilight of their career, it will be difficult for them to take up a new trade and therefore, the transporters had called the strike to let the Government and the IOC know their plight, Tamphayaima said.

He added the transporters had also called off the strike considering the interest of the public who may face hardship from scarcity of fuel.

Speaking about the long-term process, when the railway system reaches Imphal, Tamphayaima said trains will bring in petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) to Manipur and mall the duties of the Malom-based transporters obsolete on its own.

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