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Petrol pump strike in Maharashtra

          Mumbai: Petrol pumps in Maharashtra went on a 24-hour-strike on Monday. They are demanding fuel marker kit to check adulteration. About 256 petrol pumps in Mumbai and 2700 gas stations downed shutters from Sunday midnight. The Petrol Dealers Association has been seeking the government's nod to keep a fuel marker kit at petrol vends to enable them check the quality of fuel supplied by oil companies for a long time. But the Petroleum Ministry has given this facility only to one private agency, which the dealers association claim is corrupt. "Adulteration is a very big menace for this country. Fifty thousand crores rupees, I believe are lost due to adulteration. Vehicle pollution and everything is because of that. We are trying to highlight the issue, to make marker kit available on table top so that me and my customer can check it," said Ravi Shinde, President of Mumbai's Petrol Dealer's Association. Meanwhile, helpless vehicle owners said they had to bear the brunt of the strike. "My friend's father has expired and I have to go to Vadala to pick them up. But I can't go there, as the petrol tank is empty," said Tushar, a resident. According to the Petrol Dealers Association, tamper-free marker would help to bring transparency and stop the adulteration of oil. The 'Marker' is a permanent coloured substance, which helps to identify adulteration.
- September 3,  2007