VASCO, MAY 28
Tanker drivers and cleaners on Friday called off their three-day strike, after the Home Department (General) evoked the Goa Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) against Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to ensure supply of petroleum products.
After evoking the ESMA, IOC officials acted tough against the striking drivers and cleaners and immediately held talks with transporters, directing them to call off the strike called by drivers and cleaners.
The transporters persuaded the drivers and cleaners to resume the work and on Friday morning, the tankers started plying. Priority was give to the KTC and railway to supply the fuel.
Speaking to media, IOC PRO Ajit More said since the State administration has evoked ESMA, the transporters had talks with ICO officials and at about 11.30 am, the strike was called off.
However, the reluctant drivers and cleaners surrendered before the pressure of the transporters and resumed supply, but few drivers and cleaners have made a representation before the Assistant Labour Commissioner.
To ensure that there is no law and order problem, Sub Divisional Magistrate Levinson Martins directed Vasco police DySP Mahesh Gaonkar to deploy police personnel outside the IOC depot.
