Petrol pumps in West Bengal to remain closed on Friday

All the petrol pumps in West Bengal, numbering around 1,900, would remain closed on July 23 to protest against the "irrational" policies of oil companies. Tushar Kanti Sen, president of the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers' Association, said, that the pumps would neither purchase nor sell petroleum products on July 23. He said that all the oil companies were supplying fuel of inferior quality, and that also in less quantities, at petrol pumps.

This practice by the oil companies has been going on for too long, Sen added. Another issue that was hurting the pumps pertained to "poor" commission paid by the companies. The association has been demanding determination of commission on percentage basis. At present, the commission paid to the pumps is Rs 694 for every 1,000 litres of diesel, and Rs 1,120 for every 1,000 litres of petrol sold.