IOC dealers protest denial of permit
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 02 2022:
All Manipur IOCL Retail Outlet Dealers' Association organised a sit-in protest at Imphal Oil Agency, Sangakpham on Wednesday demanding IOCL to issue work order for transportation of petroleum products.
Association advisor O Nabakishore said that IOCL issued a notice in April 2021 inviting 'Expression of Interest" for transportation of petroleum products by dealers.
In the notice, IOCL conveyed that dealers can transport petroleum products by arranging own tanker trucks.
Consequent to the notice, the dealers bought tanker trucks and completed all documentations.
The dealers bought around 40 trucks and are paying monthly EMI of around Rs 30 lakh for around one and half years.
However, IOC has failed to provide the transportation order till date and they are facing hardships in paying the EMI, he said.
Nabakishore further informed that upon enquiry, IOCL told them that it is not able to issue the order due to a pending court case.
Rejecting this explanation of IOCL, he asked why the company then issued the notice if there was a case pending.
Consequently, the association members had talked with the chief general manager of IOCL through video conferencing and the latter assured of resolving the issue through proper dialogue during his visit to Imphal on November 7 and 8 .
Earlier, the association was planning to shut down operation of the fuel outlets on Wednesday but they have reconsidered the proposal of the CGM and suspended the cease-work strike.
However, they will launch cease-work strike if the IOCL authority does not honour their demand by November 8, the advisor cautioned.