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Respite as India oil staff return India oil staff call off strike
(about 3 hours later)
Striking workers at two major oil firms in India have called off their action, bringing some respite to consumers. A three-day strike by more than 50,000 workers at state-run oil firms that has crippled India has been called off.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Oil India Limited (Oil) said they hoped to resume normal fuel supplies by the evening. There had been scenes of chaos across all of India's major cities as people struggled to get fuel.
But strikes at 10 other oil firms are continuing. The action at state-run firms has crippled fuel supplies in many cities. The workers, who were demanding more pay, say they have decided to go back to work in the interests of the nation.
Officials said more than 80% of petrol stations in major cities had run dry. It has been reported that further talks between the government and union leaders will take place over the next few weeks to try to find a resolution.
Flights from Delhi and Mumbai have also been affected. As an added headache for the government, millions of lorry drivers are still on strike, affecting freight nationwide.
As an added headache for the government, millions of lorry drivers are also on strike, affecting freight nationwide. Army called in
Earlier, the authorities said the army had been called out to help reopen the refineries. Indian Oil Corp Chairman Sarthak Behuria said it would work through the weekend to fill empty pumps nationwide.
'Backlog' Officials had said more than 80% of petrol stations in major cities had run dry in the strike and flights from Delhi and Mumbai were also affected.
"Over 70% of the people are working. We will be able to resume fuel supply at all market locations today itself - by this evening," BPCL director for marketing, S Radhakrishnan, was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.
"Since the strike is two-and-a-half days old, there is a backlog. We will be working on Saturday and Sunday, hopefully the situation will be normal by Monday," he said.
A petrol station in Hyderabad feels the pinch of the strike
Oil Secretary RS Pandey was quoted by news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) as saying that the army had been called in to ensure the movement of oil cargo.
"The government has advised state governments to take firm action [against the protesting workers]," Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram told reporters.
Earlier, talks between workers demanding higher wages and the government failed, and petrol pumps across India ran dry.
In Delhi, long queues of motorists formed outside petrol pumps and many put up signs saying they had run out of stock.In Delhi, long queues of motorists formed outside petrol pumps and many put up signs saying they had run out of stock.
Many waited for several hours to get fuel and in some places, the motorists were told they couldn't get more than 10 litres. Many waited for several hours to get fuel and in some places, the motorists were told they could not get more than 10 litres.
Similar scenes were being played out across the country. Earlier, Oil Secretary RS Pandey was quoted by news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) as saying that the army had been called in to ensure the movement of oil cargo.
More than half the petrol stations were out of stock in the financial capital Mumbai, while in the eastern city of Calcutta officials warned that supplies could dry up by the end of the day. More than half the petrol stations were out of stock in the financial capital Mumbai, while in the eastern city of Calcutta officials had warned that supplies could dry up by the end of the day.
State-run firms control almost all of the energy sector in India.State-run firms control almost all of the energy sector in India.
Meanwhile, a strike by six million lorry workers which began early on Monday is continuing. The drivers are demanding cheaper fuel and an exemption from road tolls. Meanwhile, the strike by six million lorry workers which began early on Monday is continuing. The drivers are demanding cheaper fuel and an exemption from road tolls.
The indefinite transport strike has at least lessened the demand for diesel. However, fruit and vegetable prices are beginning to rise. The indefinite transport strike at least lessened the demand for diesel. However, fruit and vegetable prices are beginning to rise.