Haryana-based petroleum dealers on Friday said that they will go on an indefinite strike from July 20 in protest against the non-fulfillment of their demands by the State Government.
“We have today decided to go on indefinite strike from July 20 as our demands were not met by the Haryana government despite assurances given to us,” said Haryana Petroleum Dealers Association Senior vice president Palwinder Singh Oberoi.
This decision was taken after a resolution was passed by state petroleum dealers in a meeting held in Rohtak on Friday. There are as many as 2,310 fuel pumps in Haryana, he said.
Petroleum dealers were agitated over the alleged failure of Haryana government in keeping the tax on diesel lower than that of neighbouring states for the “survival” of fuel pump owners.
“We were assured by Haryana BJP Chief Subhash Barala that whenever Value Added Tax is raised on diesel, it will be 1-2 per cent lower than the rates prevailing in neighbouring states,” claimed Oberoi. But the State Government raised VAT on diesel which was almost equal to neighbouring states, a move which will hit the sale of diesel, he further said.
“After hike in VAT on diesel in Haryana, the fuel will now be cheaper in other states where rate of VAT is lower. Transporters coming from several states like Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh will not buy diesel from Haryana. They will go to other states where diesel is cheaper which will ultimately kill our business,” said Oberoi.