BANGALORE: LPG tanker owners ended their seven-day long strike on Thursday after the second round of successful talks between the Southern Region LPG Tanker Lorry Owners Association and Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) and Department of Food and Civil Supplies of Tamil Nadu.
In a statement, general Secretary of the Association R Shanmugappa said truckers agreed to ` 2.60 per tonne per kilometre. The truckers were initially demanding a minimum of `3 per tonne per kilometre. The OMs, however also had to make certain concessions as the truckers stayed firm on their demand to provide contracts to 600 extra tankers, which the oil companies had earlier claimed were being thrust upon them. Now all 4156 tankers participating in the tender process will be accepted by the OMCs. Tankers are expected to begin work immediately or on Friday.
However, officials from the oil companies said it will take a while for the shortage to stabilise since distributors will be busy handling the backlog of orders.