UP: Petrol outlets go dry, demand lower sales tax

Lucknow, Dec 26: About 4000 petroleum outlets in Uttar Pradeshwent on an indefinite strike from today, demanding an immediatereduction of sales tax on petroleum products and make it on par withother adjoining states.

Uttar Pradesh Petroleum Traders Association has called for anindefinite strike in the state from 0600 hrs this morning after theMulayam Singh Yadav government failed to accept their demands.

The Association is demanding reduction of tax on petrol and dieselfrom 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 about4000 outlets of all the oil companies in the state were participatingthe strike.

''The strike will benefit the consumers as if the state governmentconcedes our demand then petrol and diesel prices in the state will becheaper by at least Rs 3.50 per litre,'' Mr Shukla said.

He said all the petroleum outlets in the state except for thosewhich are owned by the oil companies were extending support to thestrike and there is no question of withdrawing the strike till thestate government accepts their demands.

At present there are 35 petroleum outlets in the state owned bythe Public sector oil companies, of which two are in the state capital.

Criticising the political parties for not supporting the agitationwhich is in the interest of the public, the association president saidtraders would not compromise on the issue with the state government.

''We are forced to take up the path of agitation as our outletswere suffering huge losess mostly in the bordering areas of Delhi andHaryana due to cheap petroleum products there,'' he said.

Mr Shukla also blamed the state officials of coming in the way ofthe Chief Minister to accept the genuine demand of the association.

''We have assured the CM that the revenues of the government willnot affect after decreasing the rate of taxes as the sale will go up'',he said.

Meanwhile, in the state capital,long queques was witnessed at thetwo company owned petroleum outlets while the other petrol pumps did abrisk business till late last night due to the strike from today.

UNI