Women empowerment takes centre stage at all-girl petrol station in city
New Delhi   25-Jul-2016

Chandigarh: It is a man’s world, they say and sometimes in the face of violent opposition, overall situation of women’s empowerment leaves a great deal to be desired. Keep this in mind, let us relate an interesting example, first-of-its-kind in Chandigarh, set by a petrol pump owner in Chandigarh where the job of filling petrol tanks in City beautiful is done entirely by women.

Zoom to the petrol station in Sector 49 and you will witness smartly dressed girls in pants, collared shirts with badge of Indian Oil, shoes and caps. These girls go about filling up tanks of cars, motorcycles with an air of ease and in a very professional way which makes one wonders why it took so long for this initiative to take off in Chandigarh.

While talking to Ashok Kumar, Manager of the pump, said that instead of looking to government society can itself find solutions to number of problems through some initiatives. He further said that technology at petrol pumps was so advanced hence there was no chance of tampering. Still, some made complaints of less petrol, leakage of petrol and argument with customer especially senior citizens continued to fore.

An idea struck to his mind to appoint girls to man some petrol channels. He appointed seven girls mainly who worked as domestic servants. The girls were trained and now they are perfectly doing their job. “Empowerment and financial independence go hand in hand,” said Ashok Kumar. He further said that besides salary, these girls will be entitled for ESI and provident fund as per the government’s rules.

Of these, two are married and study materials to their children will be provided by owners of the pump, said manager. Besides, these girls have been given pick and drop facility and the charges will be paid by pump owners. Pooja an employee at petrol pump said that she is matriculate and earlier worked in a factory. She wanted to pursue her study further but she could not due to domestic constraints. “We are very happy with the job,” said all girls.

They said more and more girls should be employed at petrol station across the city as they were no less than men. Girls also stated that male staff at the petrol pump was helpful in case of any difficulties and they all work as a team.