5 Jan :Oil Sector Officers Association (OSOA) has given a notice of strike with effect from 7.1.2009 in regard to certain issues of pay revision.
After considering the Rao Committee Report, the Government has finalized and notified a pay package for all the PSUs including Oil Sector PSUs. The revised pay package provides a substantial increase in emoluments at all levels. The oil sector officers also enjoy the best perquisites among all the PSUs in the country.
In this connection, Shri Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas along with Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas met the Prime Minister on 2.1.2009 and apprised him about the concerns expressed by oil sector officers in regard to the pay revision package as approved by the Government.
Prime Minister directed that the Home Minister in consultation with the Minister (P&NG), Minister (HIPE) and MOS (EB&IB) in the Ministry of Finance, will examine the issues relating to pay revision in the oil sector and give recommendations in the matter.
Accordingly, Shri Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas appealed to all the Oil Sector Officers on 2.1.2009 to exercise restraint and withdraw the strike notice in the larger interest of the country and citizens.
Further, Secretary, Petroleum & Natural Gas along with the concerned officials met the Home Minister on 4.1.2009 to apprise him about the issues raised by the Oil Sector Officers. The Home Minister has agreed to provide an opportunity of hearing to the representatives of the Oil Sector Officers and finalise the report within 30 days. He has also agreed to conduct preliminary discussion on the pay revision matters on 7.1.2009 provided the OSOA withdraws the strike notice.
As Government has already decided that the Home Minister in consultation with Minister (P&NG), Minister (HIPE) and MOS(EB & IB) will examine the issues relating to pay revision in the oil sector and the report will be given within 30 days, there is no justification for the Oil Sector Officers Association to go on strike. Such strike has already been declared illegal by the Hon’ble High Court. The nation cannot afford the strike in the Oil Sector as it can cause severe hardship to the citizens and can cripple normal life. The Oil Sector Officers must appreciate the steps taken by the government to look into their grievances, if any, and hence, they should not resort to any agitation in the larger public interest. It is gratifying to note that a large section of the oil sector officers will not be participating in the strike. A small section of the officer community is indulging in misinformation and misleading the others. The Government is constrained to take all legal and administrative measures in view of the totally unreasonable stance of a section of the oil officers.
The Government also appeals to the members of public to bear with the inconvenience caused in the event of a strike and cooperate with the Government in dealing with the situation.