Transporters and truck drivers of Punjab have mobilized against the new hit and run law. This has started affecting the petrol pumps of the state. If the strike does not end by this evening, apart from petrol pump owners, common people will also face problems. There is a possibility that 45 percent of the petrol pumps in the state will become dry, that is, they will run out of oil. After this, people will have no option but to park their vehicles.
Ashwinder Singh Mongia, spokesperson of Punjab Petrol Pump Association and head of Mohali Petrol Pump Association, said that if the strike does not end, the situation is bound to worsen in the coming days. 40 to 45 percent of petrol pumps will become dry by Tuesday evening. On the other hand, due to this the petrol pump is also suffering monetary losses. Because people are getting their tanks filled from other states, the sales of petrol pumps in Punjab have fallen.
There are around 3600 petrol pumps in 23 districts of Punjab and oil is mainly supplied in tankers from Bathinda, Jalandhar and Sangrur. Trucks, tanker pickups and many other types of vehicles are used in this work. While the oil companies do have their own vehicles, due to the strike the vehicles of the oil companies are also not able to carry oil. The strikers are not allowing fuel to be filled from the depots.
The government and oil companies are reportedly taking the strike seriously. In such a situation, the government and oil companies are talking to the operators sitting on strike so that the common essential services are not affected. Hopefully a solution will be found by evening. If a solution is not found then then they say that the ruling might change.
The government and the oil companies are also serious about the strike in an attempt to find a middle path. In such a situation, the government and oil companies are talking to the operators sitting on strike so that the common essential services are not affected. Hopefully a solution will be found by evening. If a solution is not found the situation will worsen.
If the drivers' strike continues for a long time, its impact will be visible in the mandis of the state as well. Its impact will be greater especially in vegetable markets, because most of the vegetables come from outside states. The number of vehicles from Delhi, Himachal and other states has started decreasing.
What is the hit and run law that the drivers are protesting against?
In hit and run cases where the driver is found guilty, a fine of up to Rs 7 lakh and imprisonment for up to 10 years has been imposed. Drivers and transporters have come out vehemently protesting against this ruling. The drivers say that accidents are not deliberate and drivers often fear they will be subjected to mob violence if they attempt to take injured people to hospital. Therefore, the law should be checked.