The Hindu : Oil sector staff stir today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 16, 2003

National

National

Oil sector staff stir today

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI Dec. 15. Turning down an appeal by the Union Petroleum Minister, Ram Naik, more than 2.5 lakh workers of the country's oil sector will go on a day-long strike tomorrow against the Centre's decision to disinvest the profit-making Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). It is for the first time that all oil companies are going on a strike, collectively being supported by the Central trade unions. Describing Mr. Naik's appeal to call off the strike as a "mere sermon," a spokesperson of the National United Forum Against Privatisation of Oil PSUs, which is spearheading the agitation, said the appeal was without any specific offer or assurance not to disinvest or privatise oil PSUs.

The spokesperson said the Government was misleading the people and not placing facts before them. It alleged that the Centre was acting under pressure from Multi National Companies who were out to grab the highly-profitable and cash-rich oil PSUs with a huge nationwide retail network and public assets.

Representatives of the Forum, invited by the Chief Labour Commissioner for talks here today, said the negotiations had failed because there was no concrete offer from the Government.

Meanwhile, the Petroleum Ministry officials today said there would be no disruption in the supply of petrol, diesel, LPG and CNG as the dealers had adequate supplies. The oil companies were also making alternative arrangements by putting managerial staff on additional duty since December 14.

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