By IANS,
Chandigarh : Haryana Friday imposed the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to declare the strike by public sector oil company officials illegal, moving to control the scarcity of petrol, diesel and cooking gas caused by the three-day-old stir.
The imposition of ESMA prohibits the strike by all officers who are under the employment of public sector oil companies of the government of India for a period of six months in Haryana, an official spokesman said here Friday. The state borders the Indian capital.
Haryana’s Chief Secretary Dharam Vir said the decision was taken because it was felt that any strike in the oil sector would adversely affect the functioning of services necessary for the residents of the state.
The oil company officials went on strike Jan 7 to demand a wage hike.
Haryana has an Indian Oil refinery at Panipat, 100 km from New Delhi. The functioning of the refinery has been affected following the strike. The availability of petrol and diesel for vehicles has also been affected all over the state.