The agitating Petrol Pump Dealers’ Association of Punjab (PPDAP) on Saturday called off their hunger strike after state Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister Charanjit Singh Channi met the dealers on behalf of the State Government and assured them that the Government had taken up their demand for rationalisation of VAT on petrol and diesel.
Requesting the PPDAP to end its indefinite hunger strike, which entered the fifth day on Saturday, Channi told the Association that the Government was in favour of bringing VAT on petrol and diesel on a par with neighbouring states. PPDAP President Paramjit Singh Doaba called off the hunger strike after Channi offered juice to him, GS Chawla, Spokesperson, PPDAP and other association members to break their fast at the Chawla petrol pump in Phase VII, Mohali.
Stating that the issue has been discussed in a Cabinet meeting and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has himself intervened and initiated action on it, Channi told PPDAP members that the CM has directed the Chief Secretary to look into the matter on priority and submit a detailed report.