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Ramesh Sharma

Strike issues: (From right) The Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Murli Deora; the IOC Chairman, Mr Sarthak Behuria; The ONGC Chairman & MD, Mr R.S. Sharma; and the GAIL Chairman & MD, Mr U.D. Choubey; at a press conference in the Capital on Monday. —

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Jan. 5 With attempts to initiate a dialogue with the Oil Sector Officers’ Association (OSOA) – which has threatened to go on strike from Wednesday demanding higher wages – yielding no results, the Government today talked tough. It has asked the States to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and the National Security Act (NSA) to stem the strike, which is termed ‘illegal’.

This is even as it has geared itself with a contingency plan to maintain fuel supplies and smooth operations at the refineries. The public sector oil companies propose to initiate disciplinary action against those who go on strike, as well as approach the judiciary for legal action.

Speaking to newspersons, the Petroleum Minister, Mr Murli Deora, said, “The nation cannot afford the strike in the oil sector as it can cause severe hardship to the citizens and can cripple normal life. The oil sector officers must appreciate the steps taken by the Government to look into their grievance, if any, and hence, they should not resort to any agitation in the larger public interest.”

“….The Government is constrained to take all legal and administrative measures in view of the totally unreasonable stance of a section of oil officers. I have myself invited the OSOA for talks but they have refused,” he said.

In order to ensure that petroleum product supplies are not affected, the Petroleum Ministry has also spoken to the private refiners, Reliance Industries Ltd and Essar, which have agreed to supply the products if necessary even at the cost of their export commitments, the Petroleum Secretary, Mr R.S. Pandey, said. The Territorial Army will be used to keep refineries and oil field operations steady, in case of a strike.

Aviation services would be the first to hit in case of a strike, Indian Oil Corporation, Chairman, Mr Sarthak Behuria, said. He said plans have been made to deploy senior-level officials at the Aviation Service Centres for refuelling facilities. There are close to 95 Aviation Service Centres. “While there is no concerns on stocks for the present, delivery are an area of concern, he said.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) officers were not participating in the strike and in all likelihood those of Oil India may also not go on strike. The officers of BPCL and GAIL have assured that operations would not be impacted.

After considering the Rao Committee Report, the Government has finalised and notified a pay package for all the PSUs including oil sector PSUs. The revised pay package provides a substantial increase in emoluments at all levels. However, the OSOA was not fully satisfied with the package. Based on the representation made, the Petroleum Minister along with his officials met the Prime Minister on January 2 and apprised him about the concerns expressed by oil sector officers in regard to the pay revision package as approved by the Government.

Subsequent to the meeting, the Prime Minister directed that the Home Minister in consultation with the Minister (P&NG), Heavy Industry Minister and Minister of State of Finance will examine the issues relating to pay revision in the oil sector and give recommendations in the matter.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Petroleum | Human Resources

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