Oil officers to face legal action in case of strike

With the Oil Sector Officers Association unrelenting on its indefinite strike from Wednesday for higher wages...

With the Oil Sector Officers Association unrelenting on its indefinite strike from Wednesday for higher wages,the Petroleum Ministry today directed the heads of public sector oil and gas enterprises to use legal measures,including detention under the National Security Act,against those who go on the stir.

Sources said the ministry has again written to the PSU chiefs to tackle the strike using the Essential Services Maintenance Act and NSA,and initiate contempt of court proceedings against them.

Petroleum Secretary RS Pandey said that the strike was illegal and states had been asked to invoke the ESMA or the Centres NSA to deal with the strike. Assam has already invoked the ESMA,while other state governments have said that they are in the process of doing so, he said.

Story continues below this ad

A Home Ministry circular of 1982 classified operations in oilfields and refineries,and fuel distribution as essential services and a strike in these areas can be dealt with under the National Security Act,1980.

OSOA represents 45,000 employees involved in all segments of petroleum activity and a strike could bring aviation services to a standstill within minutes and cripple auto and cooking fuel supplies if it lasts for two days.

After considering the Rao Committee Report,the Cabinet notified a revised pay package for all PSUs,including the oil sector,last month. However,the OSOA called it a meager raise and threatened to stir. Deora apprised the Prime Minister of the OSOAs concerns following which the PM directed that an inter-ministerial committee headed by the Home Minister examine the issues and give recommendations.