[santorio]

If you have already not felt the heat, over the weekend you sure will, unless there is an intervention.
Southern Region LPG Bulk Transport Association’s (SRLBTA’s) strike entered its sixth day Wednesday, affecting work in bottling plants and oil refineries.

The fate of over 30 lakh consumers, who booked for refills before Pongal and are in a queue, depends on a Thursday meeting between the civil supplies department, oil refinery authorities and SRLBTA.

Gas agencies across the state are facing the music as consumers press for prompt delivery.

SRLBTA members want agreements renewed immediately and transportation cost hiked.

Secretary N.R. Karthik said, “As the demand for LPG cylinders is on the rise, we have been forced to increase the number of tankers. But we were not compensated for the additional expense. “Our contract has not been renewed since October 2011.” Association members said they would continue the strike if negotiations failed Thursday.

At present, 4,200 tankers supply LPG cylinders. If the strike continues, scores of consumers across the state would be affected, they said.

-dc chn