Umbrella body says no cut in timings

Even as petrol pump dealers in many parts of the country threatened to open filling stations for a limited period from Monday, in support of their demand for a hike in their commission, the Federation of All India Petroleum Traders (FAIPT) on Sunday denied that it was resorting to any such move.

“The petrol pumps will function as usual on Monday,” the Federation General Secretary Ajay Bansal told Deccan Herald. He said the body was waiting for an announcement on Monday on the hike in dealers’ commission, and then plan its move.

Dealers are demanding payment of commission on cost-based structure as recommended by Apoorva Chandra Committee, which suggests a state-wise cost-based structure for calculation of commission for petroleum dealers across the country. The committee has also recommended a revision in the commission every six months, based on the costs.

Petrol pump owners get commission of Rs 1.5 per litre on petrol and Re 0.90 per litre on diesel sale. However, the handling cost for the petrol pump owners have gone up many times. 

The Confederation of Indian Petroleum Dealers, which had broken ties with the FAIPT, the umbrella organisation of petrol pump dealers in the country, has, however, asked its members to work for limited hours to cut the escalating operation costs. The Association severed its ties with FAIPT following differences between them on many an issue, including commission.