The dealers, part of the RIL's Gujarat State Petrol Pump Dealers Association, said they were not happy with the private company’s latest retailing policy and had decided not to re-open their pumps.
“RIL had told us our commission would be higher than that of dealers of other oil marketing companies.
"But after four years of waiting, the commission increase offered is not agreeable.
"We will take a call on re-opening pumps in our meeting,” said one of the retailers.
RIL has offered an additional commission of 0.12 paise on sale of every litre of diesel and 0.40 paise on sale of every litre of petrol.
This would take the commission on diesel to a total 0.92 paise per litre and Rs 1.75 per litre on petrol. Commissions earned by retailers of state-owned oil marketing companies Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation stand at Rs 1.98 per litre for petrol and Rs 1.16 per litre for diesel.
"RIL has neither increased the commission nor provided us with a guarantee on smooth functioning of the business despite the fluctuation in oil prices.
"Diesel prices have gone up, so my cost of procuring the product at the outlet goes up.
"But there has not been a corresponding increase in the commission offered.
"Starting a fuel outlet in this case would imply multiplying our losses," said an Ahmedabad-based fuel retailer for RIL.
The dealers said if they started selling diesel from their pumps, it would mean procuring the product for Rs 20-25 lakh and employing additional manpower.
RIL did not reply to an email questionnaire.
A senior RIL executive confirmed the company was in discussions with its fuel retailers to re-open
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