New Delhi: The Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers (CIPD) has alleged that they are being coerced by state-owned oil marketing companies to display banners, bearing the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in their outlets. It was reported that the petrol pump owners were given a verbal advisory from the state-owned oil companies in this regard.
Companies such as the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) have instructed the petrol pump owners to display the Prime Minister’s image ahead of the 2018 general elections, even going so far as to threaten a cease in supplies if they do not comply. One of the suggested banners to be displayed, the consortium alleged, was about the government’s scheme to provide below the poverty line (BPL) families with LPG connection.
Various dealers have claimed that the verbal advisory was given to them by the oil companies’ area officers, who visited the outlets. No written instructions were given to the dealers.
Just last week, it was reported that in June, Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum contacted 59,000 petroleum dealers across the country and asked them to furnish their employees’ personal details, which the CIPD refused to do.
Forms asking for details such as biographical details, marital status, mobile number, name of father/guardian, Aadhaar number, religion, caste, contact number, email address, number of years of experience, education level and bank details, were sent to the outlets. These details, it is learnt, is for the Recognition of Prior Learning scheme that comes under the Prime Minister’s Skill Development Programme.
The president of the CIPD, S S Gogi told The Hindu that the details that were requested were sensitive in nature and is a breach of privacy. “Such kind of data collection by the government is a breach of a person’s privacy,” he said and added that they would be approaching the Supreme Court regarding the issue.
