Petroleum dealers are planning to go on strike because their demands have not been met by the central government. They have been facing losses and increasing costs for seven years, but their concerns have not been addressed despite repeated requests.
In big cities, petrol outlets are struggling due to lower revenue and higher costs. Each outlet needs around 50 staff members to provide services like free air, water, and cleanliness.
Rural petrol stations face different challenges, such as not being able to sell their entire stock within four days. It takes over a week for them to empty their inventory.
Another issue is that dealers have to pay for fuel in advance, so if the government reduces prices unexpectedly, it can harm their profits. For example, a recent Rs 2 price cut caused significant losses for filling stations in big cities like Hyderabad.
The government’s lack of support has pushed dealers to announce a strike. However, they plan to operate petrol pumps from 6 am to 6 pm to minimize inconvenience to the public.
