All petroleum outlets in UP to go dry from tomorrow morning

Lucknow, Dec 25 (UNI) Demanding immediate reduction of sales tax on petroleum products and make it on a par with other adjoining states, Uttar Pradesh Petroleum Traders Association has called for an indefinite strike of the petroleum outlets in the state from 0600 hrs tomorrow.

The Association is demanding reduction of tax on petrol and diesel from 21 to 12 per cent like it is being charged in Delhi, Haryana Uttaranchal and Punjab along with other states.

Association president B N Shukla told UNI here today that about 3700 outlets of all the oil companies in the state will participate in the strike.

''The strike has been called to benefit the consumer as if the state government concedes our demand then petrol and diesel prices in the state will be cheaper by at least Rs 3.50 per litre,'' Mr Shukla said.

He said all the petroleum outlets in the state except for those which are owned by the oil companies will particate in the strike and there is no question of withdrawing the strike till the Mulayam Singh Yadav government accepts the demands.

At present there are 35 petroleum outlets in the state owned by the Public sector oil companies, of which two are in the state capital. Besides this, there are more than 20 petroleum outlets of the Reliance in the state.

Criticising the political parties for not supporting the agitation which is in the interest of the public, the association president said traders would not compromise on the issue with the state government.

''we are forced to take up an agitation path as our outlets were suffering huge losess mostly in the bordering areas of Delhi and Haryana due to cheap petroleum products there,'' he said.

UNI MB KD ND1302