By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/BALASORE/CUTTACK: In India, Oil Industries have always risen to combat the situation in case of any national cause or any disaster occurs. The pandemic COVID-19 has created lot of panic among the people.
To combat against the spread of the virus, there is a lockdown called by Hon’b’e PM Narendra Modi in the entire country wef 24th Mar2020 for safety reasons. Oil Industries are at the helm of India’s fight against COVID-19 by continuing their role as an energy provider to the Nation. Starting from the Oil & Gas Ministry, Senior most people of Oil Industries to the delivery man/ pump attendant who is the last link of the chain have worked day and night ensuring that petrol, diesel, LPG etc reach to the consumers at all the time adhering the norms of social distancing, proper sanitisation and other safety norms.
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan has welcomed the initiative of Oil Marketing Companies. In a Tweet, he said, “Welcome the humanitarian decision taken by Indian Oil, BPCL and HPCL. This gesture of goodwill is recognition of the services rendered by our personnel in these trying times. Well-being of our workers is of paramount importance; this compassionate move will strengthen the safety nets of our workforce aiding India’s fight against corona.”
Ex-Gratia of Rs 5 lakhs to Oil Marketing Companies personnel each.Ujjwala beneficiaries to get free cylinders for three months from 1st Apr’20. Uninterrupted LPG Supply. Maintaining essential services of petroleum products to the public.
OMC personnel like LPG showroom staff, godown-keepers, LPG mechanics and LPG delivery boys, retail outlet customer attendants, truck drivers including bulk/pack transporters, are risking their lives to ensure delivery of fuel to customers and fellow citizens.
As a goodwill gesture and in recognition of the services rendered in these difficult times, an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakhs only) has been announced as a one-time special measure, in the unfortunate case of demise of personnel due to COVID-19. The amount will be paid to the spouse of such personnel. In case the spouse is not there, then payment is to be made to next of kin of the deceased.
This is a gesture of goodwill in recognition of the services rendered by the OMC personnel in this trying time to serve customers and fellow citizens.
The Government of India has announced free refills for all the Ujjwala Yojana consumers for the next three months, i.e. from 1st April 2020 to 30th June 2020.
Eight Crore PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) beneficiaries will be entitled to free 14.2 kg LPG cylinders. Accordingly, it has been decided to transfer the full RSP (Retail Selling Price) of the refill cost for April”20, in advance, to the linked bank account of Ujjwala beneficiaries solely for the purpose of utilising this amount to purchase the free LPG cylinders.
A PMUY customer is entitled to one cylinder per month.The beneficiary can book the next refill only after 15 days of receipt of the last refill.The booking of refill must be done through IVRS or registered mobile number.Refill acknowledgement can be OTP based/Lat-long capture/undertaking, besides cash-memo signature and blue book entry.
LPG distributorships are functioning normally under the advisory of the State Government/local administrations. LPG being an essential commodity has been exempted from the lock-down, and personnel are required to attend duty during this crisis period to maintain uninterrupted LPG cylinder supplies across the country to all customers.
The Corporation’s LPG distributorships are well-stocked for the lockdown period and there is no shortage. Customers are advised not to panic, or resort to hoarding and panic-buying
LPG customers are, therefore, advised not to resort to panic-booking or visit the showrooms and godowns of their LPG distributorships for obtaining refills.
They can book for LPG refills from their own homes through SMS/IVRS, (WhatsApp IOC : 75888-88824, HPC: 9222201122, Missed call BPC: 7710955555) or online thru Umang App HP Pay, PayTM, My HP Gas App, BBPS(for HPCL), IndianOilOne mobile app or https://cx.indianoil.in) or @Paytm for delivery of LPG refill cylinders at their doorsteps.
Customers are encouraged to make digital payments wherever possible to avoid unnecessary handling of currency notes in view of COVID-19. The LPG emergency helpline number 1906 is also fully operational.
LPG personnel like showroom Staff, Godown-keepers, Mechanics and Delivery boys are selflessly attending to their duties during this crisis period to maintain uninterrupted LPG cylinder supplies across the country to all Indane customers.
Apart from LPG supplies, All OMC retail outlets are functioning normally under the advisory of the state governments/local administration for maintaining essential services of petroleum products to the public.
The Corporation’s terminals & depots, and fuel stations are well-stocked with petrol and diesel and there is no shortage of essential products. Customers are advised not to panic, or resort to hoarding and panic-buying.
Contribution from employees towards noble cause at this difficult situation
As a part of Economic Response to COVID-19, OMC aimed at the ameliorating hardships faced by poor due to economic disruption caused during lockdown by pandemic corona virus and to help those who are relentlessly helping us.
Guided with the spirit of “Har Ek Kaam Desh Ke Naam” OMCs are not only committed to ensure the secure energy future for India, but are also committed to the welfare of our society. Employees of OMC’s have donated 2 days salary to “PM Cares Fund” specially created to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
The Oil & Gas Companies are ready to contribute Rs 1031.29 Crore to “PM Cares Fund”. Additionally Rs. 61 crores has been contributed by employees of Oil PSUs Joint Ventures from their salaries to “PM Cares Fund”.
