The strikers parked their oil lorries at kerosene pumps to show anguish against the oil companies which failed to renew their contracts that came to an end last month.

Due to non-arrival of tankers, the kerosene pump owners were forced to exhaust the kerosene meant for emergency purposes. When the Newsline team visited Kulwant Sales in Sector 45 at 1 p.m., opening stock of 9,700 litres, including DC's quota of 1,000 litres, was being distributed, 15 litres each to card holders. Newsline was told that the sale of kerosene would be be suspended within the next two hours. Pointing towards empty tank parked at the pump, the salesmen on duty said tomorrow will be dry day following the non-availability of the stock. This pump is issued 120 kl of kerosene per month. At the Sector 35 pump, the salesmen were issuing five litres to each card holder. A salesman, on condition of anonymity, told Newsline that keeping in view the limited stock of 3,000 litres they took this decision on the permission of the District Food and Supply Officer.

The situation was no better in six other kerosene pumps located in different parts of the city where card holders were seen returning empty handed. They cursed the Administration for not making adequate arrangement of transportation of kerosene and demanded inquiry against the officials concerned for ignoring the strike call.

Deputy Commissioner M. Ramsekhar told Newsline that it was a token strike and had little bearing over the kerosene user. However, he warned that steps will be taken to restore the normal supply in case the strike was intensified.

Depot holders black marketing
With the hike in diesel price and Diwali festival round the corner, the subsidised kerosene meant for domestic use is being sold to halwais at a premium of Rs 10 to 12 a litre against the actual cost of Rs 2.94 a litre.

The problem is acute in villages and colonies where depot holders are selling allotted quota directly to halwais at Rs 2,000 a tanker (containing 200 litre of kerosene) and to labourers at Rs 12 a litre.

Last week, local police had confiscated a cycle rehri carrying cannies containing kerosene more than the prescribed limit of 15 litre per head in Sector 37. A case under Excise Act was registered but no arrest has been made so far.