Oil marketing companies (OMCs) like IOCL, BPCL and HPCL on Monday announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh each to the personnel associated in the LPG distributorship chain.
This one-time special measure has been made in the unfortunate case of demise of personnel like show-room staff, godown-keepers, mechanics and delivery boys, attending duty in during COVID-19 pandemic.
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.
Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan has welcomed the initiative of the oil companies.
In a Tweet, he said, “Welcome the humanitarian decision taken by Indian Oil, BPCL and HPCL.”
“This gesture of goodwill is a recognition of the services rendered by our personnel in these trying times,” he added.
“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,” he further said.
Welcome the humanitarian decision taken by @IndianOilcl, @BPCLimited & @HPCL to provide an ex-gratia amount of ?5 lakh each, as a one-time special measure, in case of death of personnel attending duty in the LPG distributorship chain due to the infection and impact of #Covid-19.
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 30, 2020