Guwahati: Amid the raging pandemic, the people of Guwahati city in Assam will be staring at a major problem -- the closure of petrol pumps. Petrol pumps in the Greater Guwahati region shall be closed from 5 am of September 7.
Alleging harassment by oil companies, the members of the Greater Guwahati Unit of Northeast India Petroleum Dealers Association on Friday announced the indefinite closure of all petrol pumps in the Greater Guwahati region as a mark of protest.
The association has accused Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) of harassing a city dealer, Ellora Debi, who is a proprietor of RRND Service Station, Beltola, Guwahati. "During these testing times when the government and even the Courts have made relaxation owing to the community spread of the pandemic, we regret inform you that the oil companies have continued to harass dealers on various issues," said the dealers association in a statement.
In its statement, the body alleged that time and again, the BPCL is forcing Debi to sign the dealership agreement. "They even threatened to stop the supply of petrol and diesel if she fails to sign the agreement by August 31," it said/
As per the association, Ellora Debi by writing several letters to the Manager (Sales) of BPCL had asked for the extension of time due to the pandemic. However, her pleas fell on deaf ears, claimed the organization.
The body further said that facing harassment, Ellora Debi had to go court to draft the agreement following which she contracted a coronavirus infection. Her husband, who has co-morbid conditions, also tested positive for the virus.
While Debi and her husband are receiving treatment for the virus, the BPCL has stopped the supply of petrol and diesel to the dealer, the association alleged.
"We have been working risking the lives of our workers, including their family members amid the pandemic," the body said and urged the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup Metro Biswajit Pegu to intervene in the matter considering its serious nature.
The association further claimed that they have also been facing huge financial loss since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and incidents of "harassment" have caused them further duress.