Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Petrol pump owners in Delhi Friday threatened to close shop indefinitely if the state government does not bring down the value added tax (VAT) on diesel in the next 15 days.
They said sale of diesel had gone down drastically after the government raised VAT on the fuel from 12.5 percent to 20 percent.

The fuel traders last night called off their day-long strike planned for Friday after Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit assured them that the government would look into their demand within 15 days.

“We have called off the strike for now. If the matter is not given consideration, we would be definitely going in for an indefinite strike,” said Ajay Bansal, general secretary of the Federation of All-India Petroleum Traders (FAIPT) told IANS.

“Even Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said our grievances are genuine,” said Bansal.

FAIPT is demanding a uniform rate of VAT across the country.

The dealers said that sales had come down in the national capital due to the difference in prices in Delhi and Haryana. While a litre of diesel costs Rs.34.75 in Haryana, commuters have to shell out Rs.38.10 for a litre in Delhi.

“The huge difference in VAT charges has forced the people to buy diesel from neighbouring states. This has affected our sales adversely,” Bansal added.

Dikshit has asked Delhi VAT Commissioner Jalant Srivastava and Finance Minister A.K. Walia to ascertain the loss suffered by the traders following the increase in VAT.