Imphal, September 18, 2010: Following the announcement by the Federation of All India Petroleum Traders that a Nation wide strike will come into force from September 20, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India has notified that majority of the petrol pumps across the country will remain shut from this date.

As such there will be no sale of fuel during the strike period, said a notification issued by the State Government on receiving an intimation from Delhi today.

To counter the strike as well as closure of petrol outlets, the State Government has invoked the Manipur Essential Services Maintenance Act with regard to petroleum products in the retail outlets, added the notification.

Keeping in line with the provisions of the Essential Maintenance Act, the State Government has clearly laid down that no person employed in any essential service to which the order relates shall go or remain on strike; any strike declared or commenced, whether before or after the issue of the order, by persons employed in any such service will be illegal and acquisition of retail outlets going on strike will be considered along with their work force for maintaining supplies, decreed the order issued by the Government today.

Meanwhile, a reliable source from Consumers Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said that Commercial vehicles (trucks and buses) on inter-State service or inter-district service would be given 40 litres of diesel Tata Magic vans, other light commercial vehicles and agriculture motors (tractors and power tillers) would be given 20 litres of diesel.

Moreover, vehicles owners would be required to show either vehicle registration cards or driving licenses at the time of filling fuel.

A total ban has been imposed on filling fuel in jerry-cans or any containers, said the notice.

The order issued by the CAF&PD Under Secretary instructed all Deputy Commissioners to deploy one staff each at the oil pumps for monitoring sales records including details like opening stock, closing stock and vehicle registration numbers.

Relevant SPs have also been directed to deploy adequate security personnel at oil pumps on the days of fuel distribution.

A gentleman on hearing the latest development, rather put it sarcastically asserting that it would make no difference here as most of the pumps are closed.

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