Nationwide strike by petrol pumps on June 20

Kolkata,: Petrol pumps in the country will remain closed for a day on June 20 in response to a token strike called by the Federation of All-India Petroleum Dealers, demanding transparency in price fixation for petrol and diesel, besides dealer commission on percentage basis.

"All pumps in the country will remain closed on June 20. If the government does not pay heed, the pumps will go for an indefinite closure from July 18," Federation managing committee member Tushar Sen told PTI.

Sen, who is also the working president of the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers Association, said the Association, at its executive body meeting yesterday, has also decided to join the day-long token strike on June 20.

"We think that the Federation's demands are justified. We in West Bengal have also been demanding commission on percentage basis for the past 15 years. Now we get a fixed commission on sale per litre," he said.

Pointing out that dealer commission in Pakistan was five percent, Nepal four percent, Malaysia six percent and Thailand seven percent, he said, "Paying dealer commission on percentage basis is the international norm. Why should we be deprived of it?"

He claimed that pump owners in West Bengal are witnessing a reduction in commission because of dwindling sales.