Tags: Truckers' Strike , Maharashtra , Orissa , Oil PSU executives' strike

Mumbai/Bhubaneswar, Jan 8: Haryana, Maharashtra and Orissa governments have invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to counter the strike by oil PSUs executives and transporters which have led to shortage of fuel and essential items.

"Those on strike should not hold people to ransom," Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, said after a meeting at Varsha, his official residence in south Mumbai tonight, with senior ministers and top oil PSUs officials.

"On behalf of oil companies, I am appealing to the employees to report to duty by tomorrow morning or else face cognisable and non-bailable criminal cases," Chavan said.

As per provisions of ESMA, they also face imprisonment of up to one year, he said.

ESMA has been invoked in view of the 'serious' situation in the state caused due to the oil PSU officers and transporters strike, he said.

"I have contacted Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and also concerned department to ensure regular supply of gas and diesel for transport and power generation," Chavan said.

The transporters' strike which entered fourth day today, has affected inflow of fruits and vegetables, the chief minister said. The number of trucks coming to Mumbai has reduced due to the strike and the quantity of goods being brought here has declined by over 70 per cent, he said.

Orissa government today invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in a bid to restore normalcy in supply, official sources said.

"The state government enforced ESMA as there is no sign to end of the strike in petroleum companies," Food and Civil Supplies Secretary Tara Datta told.

All the district authorities had been asked to implement the law to deal with the crisis.

According to a circular issued to all the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SP), they could undertake preventive arrest of people who disrupt in maintaining essential services. The district authorities were also directed to create a reserve pool of fuel for maintaining ambulance and other essential services.

Though the police were yet to arrest any one under the provision of ESMA till evening, it could undertake action any moment, a senior home department official said.

While common people had a bad time since yesterday due to scarcity of fuel, emergency services were not affected as officers of Hindustan Petroleum were yet to join the strike.

But those in Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Co Ltd (BPCL) were on strike affecting petrol and diesel distribution.

Public transport was badly hit in the state as more than 50 per cent of the petrol pumps were managed by IOC. The state required 16 lakh litres of petrol and 4.5 lakh litres of diesel while IOC alone managed 476 outlets. The BPCL and HP together had 284 pumps, officials said.

Meanwhile, hoarders did brisk business by selling fuel at a premium taking advantage of the strike.

It is worth mentioning here that other states are also considering the option to invoke ESMA to counter disruption of normal life due to oil executives' and truckers' strike.

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