Petrol pumps across state to remain shut every Sunday

Mumbai: Around 4,500 petrol and CNG pumps in the state have decided to observe a “holiday” on Sundays starting May 14, and work single-day shifts i.e. 9am to 6pm from Monday, a move said to fly in the face of criticism from the union petroleum ministry.

The move, being taken by the All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers’ Association (FAMPEDA), will hit around 225 petrol pumps in the city. The move is being taken by FAMPEDA to support its various demands with oil marketing companies who are demanding a hike in dealer margins that have not been revised since 2011.

President Uday Lodh said, “We are facing losses and operating on low margins and starting this Sunday, we will remain shut on Sundays and starting  Monday, we will operate between 9 am and 6 pm.”

The decision will directly affect livelihood of nearly 100,000 staffers at petrol pumps in the state who work mostly in two or three shifts depending on the location.

Mr Lodh said motorists needed to develop the habit of filling fuel in their vehicles in advance. He questioned why they shouldn’t be shut at some point in the day or night like every other essential commodity seller. A weekly off plus working in single shift on other days will help petrol pumps drastically reduce their operating expenditure, Mr Lodh pointed out.

Petrol pumps are planning to implement a similar working schedule in  Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Haryana.