-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=011428
Petrol pumps may go dry by evening NT Staff Reporter Panaji Jan 13: Petrol pumps in Panaji and Mapusa are facing the threat of going dry by tomorrow evening as a fallout of the tanker operators strike entering the third day and two operating tankers, operating despite the stir call, being stoned at Curti, in Ponda and at Old Goa. According to the president of the Petrol Dealers Association of Goa, Mr Paresh Joshi, the possibility of such a thing happening has arisen following fears of attacks being raised by dealer-cum-tanker operators after some of them received threats from the striking tanker contractors. It is learnt that the entire issue arose after major oil companies, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd suspended contracts of three tanker operators for a 15-day period following certain irregularities in compliance. At the end of the period, however only two of the three contracts were actually restored. The reason behind this, according to Mr Joshi is the contractors refusal to adhere to the norms and bring an end to activities like siphoning away of fuel with the introduction of a new locking system. This contractor, it is learnt has now lobbied with others and convinced the contractors to go on a strike for the past three days. Control over the situation was being maintained through additional tankers owned by some dealers themselves who carried out the supply activity under police protection, till this evening. But with the two tankers being stoned at Curti and Old Goa the situation has worsened. In Curti, the stoning occurred when a policemen provided as an escort returned from Curti after citing that the area marked the end of their jurisdiction. Once this happened, it is said that a Maruti overtook the tanker and stone was flung that smashed the windscreen. In the second incident at Old Goa a stone was flung at a tanker damaging the front grill. The tankers belonged to Mr Durganand Savardekar and Mr Ashok Swar, respectively. Mr Joshi revealed that the Petrol Dealers Association of Goa has requested the oil companies to provide continuous police protection to the tankers. Talks held in this regard reportedly favour a convoy of tankers moving together under police escort. This is being favoured as a lesser number of policemen would have to be posted on duty. -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
