Kolkata, Aug 31 (Agency) “No purchase no selling” strike called by the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers Association has impacted the movement of private and public transportation across the state over the demand of hike of commission of fuel. Over 3000 dealers have shut their shop for the day beginning at 6 am on Tuesday and remain so up to 6 am on Wednesday demanding the rise in commission from the oil companies The impact was felt largely in the city as over 1,335 retailers of two oil companies, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) shut the shop and join in the no purchase and no selling token strike. The 24-hour shutdown, called by the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers’ Association, also demanded ethanol-free petrol during the monsoon months of June, July and August.
Ethanol, a biofuel obtained from sugarcane, is an eco-friendly import substitute product, promoted by the government of India. Since around 85 per cent of petroleum demand in India is met by import, mixing ethanol translates to saving in foreign exchange, apart from cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. The protesting pump owners alleged that ethanol-blended petrol (EBP) attracts more moisture than ethanol-free fuel. Since the moisture content in the air is higher in the monsoon than in other seasons, the intrusion is heavier than usual. Agitating association’s vice president Snehasish said all the petrol pumps have been shut under the “no purchase, no sale” protest on Tuesday.