 The strike will affect the
CNG-operated vehicles in the cityFor three days beginning tomorrow, 106-CNG filling stations will strike work.
This means that all CNG-operated vehicles include taxis, autos, private buses and few cars, will go off roads, unless they tank up today.
The Petrol Dealers Association has called a strike due to protest against the measly profit margins on CNG sales.
From 1992 to 2003 we were getting 73 paise as commission from the sale of 1 kg of CNG, which costs Rs 21. This commission was too low to cover our costs anyway, but now it has been further reduced to 53 paise per kg, which is unjustified. For the past two years they have been illegally deducting 20 paise from our commission. First, they have to return our money and also increase the commission, says Ravi Shinde, president, Petrol Dealers Association.
Taxi, auto unions and even private bus owners have decided not to oppose the strike. There will be problems, but we will support them as their claim is justified. We will fill up to the maximum capacity and see how many hours our taxis can run, says Dilip Tammal, general secretary, Taxi Chalak Malak Sena.
Kurian Thampy, working president, Mumbai Auto-rickshawmens Union says, We have no option. All services will be shut and the city will be affected, but they are doing it because its a matter of survival.
Officers from Mahanagar Gas and the Oil Ministry say that transport will be smooth and the filling stations will re-open immediately as petrol pump owners would not want to incur huge losses. However, the Petrol Dealers Association feels that if this stir doesnt work out they will go on strike again in January 2006.
| 
