The tanker owners are agitating over the undue delay in renewal of contract for the transportation and are seeking adequate hike in freight charges following the increase in prices of petrol and diesel. The contract signed in 1997 between the representatives of oil companies and tankers has already ended.

Though elaborate arrangement has been made by oil companies for the maintenance of the supply of petrol and petroleum products, officials say the possibility of disruption in supply by oil tanker owners could not be ruled out.

The quota of kerosene for November has so far not been received by the pump-owners who express apprehension over the stock shortage tomorrow. The officials in the oil companies, however, refused to comment on the issue.

A senior official of Bharat Petroleum (Operations), Harnam Singh, told Newsline from Ambala: "In spite of holiday today, we have opened the sales depot for advance supply to the dealers in and around Chandigarh. All dealers of the company have been asked to submit their requirements to ensure immediate transportation." Similar steps were being taken by Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation. A Chandigarh Petrol Dealers Association member said there was sufficient petrol and diesel in the stock to cater to the city's requirements tomorrow.

He urged the people not to panic as it was just a `token' strike and will hardly affect the distribution of petrol in each outlet. He told Newsline that all sales outlets in Ambala will down their shutters as per the directive of the oil companies keeping in view the strike.

The secretary of Haryana Petrol Dealers and Panchkula District Petrol Dealers Association, Sethu Ram Singla, said they were ready to meet the strike in case it was intensified.