Won’t let anyone create law & order problem: SSP Jammu
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 29: A potential fuel shortage is imminent across the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir as a deadlock continued between the J&K Tanker Owners Association and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
The ongoing dispute revolves around a recent transport tender issued by BPCL, which reportedly reduced the agreed-upon rates for fuel transportation over the next 5-6 years.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the J&K Tanker Owners Association clashed with BPCL, affecting around 185 retail outlets among the 736 across the UT.
BPCL has raised concerns about the looming threat of a fuel shortage, writing to key authorities, including the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Director of Food and Civil Supplies, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, and SSP Jammu.
Terming the strike by the J&K Oil Tankers Association as illegal, the Corporation has alleged receiving threats of “self-immolation” and “property damage” across the UT unless the transport tender is revoked, and the previous rates are reinstated.
Despite continuous meetings and negotiations between BPCL officials and the association, the deadlock persisted till today, resulting in a halt of loading operations for BPCL across J&K.
In response, the BPCL has engaged other dealers with tankers, but the association has cited their ability to load lorries, exacerbating the critical fuel situation in the UT.
The Corporation warned that if the deadlock persists, BPCL’s petrol pumps will run dry by evening, causing significant inconvenience to the public.
A communication from BPCL to DC Jammu has highlighted the tanker association’s threats of self-immolation at the BPCL depot if vehicles are loaded by other dealers.
The corporation has, as such, appealed to the authorities, urging them to intervene and ensure the safety of the oil depot.
Responding to the situation, SSP Jammu, Dr Vinod Gupta, has assured that BPCL’s limited number of retail outlets won’t lead to a widespread fuel crisis across the UT.
He has also asserted that sufficient police personnel will be deployed across the UT to prevent any attempts to disrupt law and order, addressing concerns about threats of self-immolation and property damage.
When asked about a possible fuel crisis in the UT and the response of the administration to it, one of the ADCs, Ansuya Jamwal, this scribe spoke with, said she didn’t participate in a meeting of the oil tankers association and the BPCL representatives called by the DC Jammu today the other ADC Jammu, Shishir Gupta, was not available for the comments.
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