Patna: Lorry owners whose vehicles ferry petrol and diesel from the Barauni refinery of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the oil company does not resolve the tender process problem by November 5.

"Lorry owners did not lift fuel from the oil major's Barauni refinery on October 19 and 20," said Prabhat Kumar Singh, the president of Bihar Petroleum Dealers' Association.

"However, on Saturday, Begusarai MP Bhola Prasad Singh brokered negotiations with the lorry owners and IOCL officials. A consensus was reached to give 15 days to IOCL to resolve the issue," added Prabhat.

He stressed that though a few petrol pumps in northern Bihar districts went dry owing to the two-day strike last week, most outlets had adequate fuel stocks because transportation decreases during Chhath inside the state.

"However, if the IOCL does not resolve the issue, we can be heading for trouble," he added.

The lorry owners are angry over the IOCL's direction to get themselves registered and then call for tenders for transportation of fuel.

The owners have sought additional time from the IOCL to register themselves and have urged the oil company to stop the process of tendering till then.

"The IOCL has agreed to dispose of the matter before November 5. The process of tendering for transportation needs to be looked into, as the same rates have been given for the past decade and vehicles used in transportation is vaguely defined," said Bhola, expressing hope that the issue would be resolved amicably for resumption of normal transportation of petrol and diesel.

More than 400 lorries are filled up in Barauni and despatched on a daily basis.