In light of the rising fuel prices and the Delhi government’s refusal to reduce VAT on fuel, the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) has announced that all the 400-odd petrol pumps along with linked CNG dispensing units in the national capital will remain shut on Monday, 22 October, from 6 am onwards to 5 am on 23 October.
According to DPDA President Nischal Singhania, fuel has become more expensive than bordering Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, due to the Delhi government refusing to reduce the VAT on fuels.
Responding to the news, Delhi Chief Minister called the shutdown of the petrol pumps, a “BJP sponsored strike”.
- The DPDA has announced that all 400 odd petrol pumps in Delhi will remain shut on Monday, 22 October
- The petrol pumps will be shut from 6 am on Monday to 5 am on Tuesday
- The shutdown is in protest of the Delhi government refusing to reduce VAT on fuels
Kejriwal Calls Fuel Strike 'BJP Sponsored'
As the 400-odd petrol pumps and CNG dispensing units in the national capital remain shut Monday in protest against the Delhi government's refusal to reduce VAT on fuels, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of "threatening" petrol pump owners to go on strike against the AAP dispensation.
BJP people have threatened petrol pump owners of Income Tax raids if they did not go on strike. The oil companies also stated that tough action will be taken against petrol pumps not on strikeArvind Kejriwal, on twitter
The AAP supremo said oil prices were the "lowest" in Delhi among four metro cities, adding petrol pumps were not on strike in Mumbai despite the oil prices being "highest" there "because the BJP was ruling in Maharashtra".
Kejriwal had on Sunday said that petrol pump owners told him “privately” that the strike was “BJP-sponsored” and “actively supported” by oil companies.
A call of strike was given by the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) to all the 400 petrol pumps along with linked CNG dispensing units in the national capital in protest against the AAP government's refusal to reduce VAT on fuels.
The chief minister also reiterated his government's demand to bring petrol and diesel within the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Deserted Petrol Pumps in Delhi
Visuals from a petrol pump in Delhi as a protest has been called by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association against Delhi government’s refusal to reduce VAT on diesel and petrol.
All 400-Odd Petrol Pumps in Delhi to Remain Closed on Monday
In protest of the Delhi government’s refusal to reduce the VAT on fuels, the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) on Sunday, 21 October, announced that over 400 petrol pumps would be shut from 6 am on Monday, 22 October to 5 am on Tuesday, 23 October.
Due to difference in prices, there has been a sharp drop of 50-60 percent in the sale of diesel in Delhi and 25 percent for petrol in this quarter, the DPDA president. Nischal Singhania said, adding that on Monday, all the 400 pumps of Delhi will neither purchase nor sell petrol, diesel and CNG.
Because of high prices in Delhi and low prices in states like UP and Haryana, customers are deserting the petrol pumps in Delhi, leading to a huge drop in sales, Singhania said.
"DPDA urges the Delhi government to immediately reduce VAT on petrol and diesel and encourage commuters to buy euro VI fuel and save the livelihood of employees and owners of petrol pumps of Delhi and also save state's revenue loss," a statement released by the organisation, said, PTI reported.
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