Rajasthan dealers say mafia siphoning off oil, go on strike

Over 2,900 petrol pumps were closed all over the state from 9 am and the supply resumed after three hours.

"Our aim is to make the government and the oil companies aware of the theft of petroleum products from tankers on way to outlets from depots," Suneet Bagai, President of petrol pump deaders' association, said.

"Oil mafia is active all around the depots in the state and it is estimated that 3400 to 4000 litres of petrol or diesel are being stolen after the tankers leave the depots," he claimed.

"The menace has increased many fold keeping in view the high and rising price of petroleum products. The stolen fuel is being sold illegally on road-side Dhabas on cheaper rates but no action is being taken by the government or oil companies, and dealers have to bear the losses," he said.

"The problem is at initial stage in Rajasthan and would flourish and become unmanageable if no step is taken to curb the practice," he warned.

Bagai said that a separate enformcemnt directorate and joint team of the government and oil companies were needed to control the menace.