Petrol dealers clamour for VAT cut, call for strike

NEW DELHI: Demanding reduction in VAT on diesel and petrol by the city government, Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) on Wednesday announced a day of closure of 400 pumps on October 22.

The DPDA president Nischal Singhania said that closure will start at 6 am on October 22 and end at 5 am on October 23. Mr Singhania claimed that due to reduction of prices by the neighboring states, the sale of petrol and diesel has decreased by 20 and 30 per cent respectively in the national capital in the last 10 days. Union minister Vijay Goel extended his support to DPDA’s one-day strike.

According to Mr Singhania, both diesel and petrol in Delhi have  become expensive as the neighbouring states have reduced VAT by Rs 2.50 per litre and because of high prices in national capital and low prices in UP and Haryana, customers are deserting the petrol pumps in the city leading to a big drop in sales.

“On October 22, all the 400 pumps of the city will not purchase or sell petrol, diesel and CNG in protest. About 200 out of 400 pumps would be on the verge of closing down leading to retrenchment of thousands of workers,” Mr Singhania added.

While extending his support to the strike, Goel said, “Adamant Arvind Kejriwal government is not only burdening the residents with high rates of VAT on petroleum products but also contributing to the ever-increasing pollution levels in the capital.”