To the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and aside from some exceptions in the western region of the country, the picket was a success. Spokesperson for the CITU, S. Dev Roye warned the government to acquiesce to its demands or face further stoppages.

"Going by the responses, we want to caution the government that if it does not stop privatisation programme of the profit making oil PSUs, the workers would be compelled to go on an indefinite strike in near future," said Roye.

In a heated joint statement issued by representatives of oil workers' trade unions, the CITU said, "Oil sector workers of all oil PSUs have forged complete and total unity under the banner of National United Forum against Privatisation of Oil PSUs irrespective of their affiliations to defeat government's privatisation policy. The government's move to partially disinvest mega oil companies of the IOC and ONGC will eventually pave the way for their privatisation. This decision of the government is neither an act of economic prudence nor in national interest."

In the face of such heated rhetoric, the oil industry officials maintained that supplies of supplies of petroleum products and crude oil production remained "more or less unaffected" despite the fact that the refineries witnessed "thin attendance".

Furthermore, a spokesperson from the country's largest crude oil producer, Oil and Natural Gas Corp said, "Operations at all its fields including Mumbai High were normal with almost all workers attending duty."

In lieu of the strike threat, India's petroleum ministry had already prepared a contingency plans to avert any supply disruptions to the retailers. Furthermore, the PSUs had also moved stocks of essential petroleum products - like petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG - to caches around the country, which - they claim - could meet all of India's retail needs for up to 48 hours.