Staff Reporter :
Fuel supply in Rajshahi, Khulna and Rangpur divisions has come to a standstill as petrol pump owners went on an indefinite strike to press home their 15-point demand, including increasing fare of lorry and stopping police harassment.
Khulna, Rajshahi and Rangpur Divisional Committees of Bangladesh Petrol Pump and Tank Lorry Malik-Sramik Oikya Parishad began the strike on Sunday morning.
Three state own oil deports-Padma, Meghna and Jamuna-failed to supply oil amid ongoing strike.
Hundreds of oil tank lorries were seen stranded on roads and streets under the concerned divisions and some adjacent districts in Dhaka and Barishal divisions.
Around 26 petrol pumps in Natore district of Rajshahi division were shut down due to the strike, causing severe problems for vehicle owners.
The demands include paying 7.5 per cent commission on fuel sale, introducing accident insurance of Tk 5 lakh for Tank Lorry workers, increasing fare of Tank Lorry and stopping police harassment.
The leaders of Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners’ Association on November 26 gave the authorities an ultimatum until Saturday (Nov 30) to fulfil their demands.
Sale and transportation of fuel around 2,000 petrol pumps in Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Khulna divisions will be put to a halt during the strike, said MA Momin Dulal, Senior Vice-President of the association.
Besides, owners and workers of petrol pumps in Faridpur, Gopalganj Barishal and some other districts out of the divisions informally observed the strike.
Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources called the leaders to sit in a meeting with him on December 15, which they have rejected, said MA Momin Dulal.
