There is a maze of complex operations ranging from sourcing crude; refining; transporting; storing; distributing; that ensures that one litre of fuel at our doorstep. The force behind these intricate logistics, i.e. the officers from the Oil industry- toiling across tough terrains and topographies-in deserts, mountains, plans, islands, wherever people need precious petroleum fuels - apart from giving huge revenue to exchequer, are now fighting a lone battle. These officers from IndianOil along with other Maharatna and Oil PSUs are protesting to the Govt of India against the massive cut in the recommendations of 3rd Pay Revision Committee.
In the last ten years only 15 per cent fitment has been given to these professionals hailing from salaried middle-class, which is the lowest in the history of pay revision. Their demands are genuine, which has received favourable support from many significant Govt quarters but the resolution, is nowhere near. The IndianOil Officer Association, representing the largest commercial Oil PSU in the country, is leading the negotiation.
Alok Kumar Roy, President of IndianOil Officers Association said, "While the cafeteria allowance has been curtailed from 50 per cent to 35 per cent along with meager fitment of only 15 per cent after one decade, and while considering the eco-situation, we are still going with it but the other genuine demands need to be seriously reviewed and reconsidered. We have been waiting for pay revision for last so many years, while struggling with substantial pay erosion during high inflation era of last decade. The agitation commenced with gate meeting during August 28-31 and wearing black badges on September 5, 2017.
On 12th September 2017, the office bearers of Officers Associations of Oil industry majors and Maharatna CPSEs shall be holding a dharna at Jantar Mantar. The Govt needs to be sensitive on issue that affects around 1.7 lakh executives of these PSUs generating revenue of Rs 13.86 lakh crore, around 70 per cent of the revenue generated by all 242 PSUs of the country. Similar type of agitation on similar issues in the past during previous UPA government had seriously affected the supply of petroleum products in the country. Since the past one year, the officers have made very comprehensive representations, duly supported by facts and figures, to all the significant stakeholders starting from the 3rd Pay Revision Committee, Cabinet Secretary, DPE Secretary, Ministers of DPE, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Steel, SME, Surface Transport, Trible affairs, Tourism, etc. letters have also been written to the PM of India requesting his intervention. Everyone has sympathised with the legitimacy and fairness of the demands, but no one is actually coming forward to fulfil them.