The indefinite strike by 14 oil PSUs has hit industries and restaurants.
The indefinite strike by 14 oil PSUs has hit industries and restaurants. As many as 30 restaurants and 900 industries have been shut since Wednesday afternoon after gas supply was stopped indefinitely. The step was taken after 55,000 officers of 14 PSUs oil companies went on strike from Wednesday morning to seek higher wages.
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Restaurant owners like Ravindra Shetty of Vegitreat restaurant at Borivli were forced to run by selling pizzas and juice yesterday. "We were not given prior notice. Left with no choice, I was forced to sell pizzas to make the daily earnings," said Shetty who is looking at a loss of over Rs 35,000 in just one day. Restaurants in areas like Lokhandwala, Borivli, Kandivli and Dahisar have also faced the brunt.u00a0
Added Narayan Alva, President of Indian Hoteliers and Restaurant association (AHAR), "They claim that we are commercial users, which is absurd. Food is a necessity and if the restaurant closes down, how will we serve the public? We have spoken to the concerned official and have asked for answers or else we will be forced to take necessary action." He refused to elaborate what the action would be.
Explaining the discontinuation, Neera Asthana, chief manager corporate communication, Mahanagar Gas Limited, said, "The gas pressure was very low because of which we were forced to disconnect the gas supply to 30 restaurants (commercial establishment) and 900 industries. Our first priority is domestic users, as food is a basic necessity that should not be affected." Asthana was unable to say when the supplies would begin.
Rs 2,000 crore
Estimated loss per day due to the strike
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