Paresh Joshi, president, All Goa Petrol Pump Dealers’ Association clarified that no decision to close down petrol pumps in Goa on Tuesday has been taken yet.
“There are some disputes with the oil companies with regards to our pending demands of increase in profit margin for which talks have been going on at the federation level. The profit margin received by the petrol pumps have not been increased since last two years and with increase in operational cost, it becomes difficult for the petrol pumps owners to operate. Also, in Goa the infrastructure at 99 percent petrol pumps has been provided by the oil companies, however, maintenance cost has to be borne by petrol pumps which again puts the pump owners to face hardships” Joshi said.
He further added that “There are few other issues which the federation has been opposing like declaring petrol pumps toilets as public toilets, besides other several issues. However, the oil companies at various levels have held meetings, with the last meeting being held very recently in Mumbai to discuss on the demands placed by the petrol pumps. But if the oil companies do not settle the issue, then the petrol pumps may go on strike, but such a call is not for Tuesday” Joshi told Herald.
