The drivers had gone on a strike from Wednesday, after Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the sole supplier, introduced strict safety measures at its depots and refused entry of tankers whose drivers and co-drivers do not have entry pass issued by it.
The IOC introduced the new pass system after its depot in Jaipur was recently gutted by fire.
However, tanker drivers here lambasted the system alleging that it prevented all drivers from entering the depot.
“Not all drivers are permanent employees. Besides, the owners deploy alternate drivers whenever one gets sick or is on leave,” the association of agitating tanker drivers said.
As a result of the strike, which started immediately after five-day strike of petroleum workers, almost all petrol pumps in the country had remained dry, creating a severe fuel shortage in the market.
NOC Spokesperson Mukunda Dhungel told myrepublica.com from Birgunj that the drivers had resumed their works from Saturday and that the supplies would resume immediately. Dhungel coordinated tripartite meeting of NOC, IOC officials and agitating drivers in Birgunj. “Drivers agreed to resume works after IOC agreed to issue temporary entry pass on NOC´s recommendation for a week,” Dhungel added.
However, IOC also declared that drivers working for more than a week with temporary pass will have to get permanent pass with their photographs, tanker number and owners name affixed on it.
As for IOC´s provision that seeks drivers to wear helmet and boot while entering the depots, NOC has promised to IOC that it will make drivers comply with the new requirements within 15 days. NOC has also agreed to grant permission to tanker owners willing to operate between Barauni refinery and Amlekhgunj depot for three months.
“Understandings on these issues have resolved the problem for now,” said Dhungel, adding that the NOC will start receiving fuel from IOC from Saturday evening. He also claimed that NOC has some stock at Thankot depot to ease supplies situation in the Valley, the largest fuel market.
However, petroleum dealers, referring to banda and strike called by the UCPN (Maoist) and political parties in Tarai, ruled out supplies going normal soon. “NOC has minimal stock at its depots. How will supply become normal when series of strike will continue to hinder movement of tankers?” said Linendra Pradhan, Bagmati Zonal President of Nepal Petroleum Dealers´ Association.
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