Maharashtra petrol pump dealers end strike

Mumbai, Sep 19 (UNI) Petrol dealers in Maharashtra, who were on an indefinite strike since Sunday midnight seeking a cut in sales tax on petrol and diseal today called off their stir after the Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora assured them that their demands would be considered.

The strike was called off by the dealers representatives after a meeting with Petroleum Minister Murli Deora in Delhi that lasted for more than an hour, sources said.

As many as 2,200 dealers in the state had joined the strike to protest the high sales tax on petrol and diesel in the state, which they contended was leading to flight of high volume business to neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh, Goa and Andhra Pradesh.

The Federation of Maharashtra Petrol Dealers' Association (FAMPEDA) representatives will meet the State Finance Minister Jayant Patil later tonight.

The sales tax in Maharashtra is one of the highest in the country leading to its fuel prices being Rs 4-5 per litre higher than anywhere else in India, petrol dealers association leader Ravi Shinde told reporters.

Sales tax on petrol is 30 per cent and 34 per cent on diseal, he added.

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