UP petrol outlets' strike enters day 3

Lucknow, Dec 28 (UNI) The petroleum outlets' indefinite strike in Uttar Pradesh today entered its third day, even as a deadlock persists between the Mulayam Singh Yadav governemnt and the agitating petroleum dealers.

The strike has affected vehicular traffic in UP with the number of private vehicles on roads being much less than normal, while company-owned petroleum outlets witnessed excessive rush.

About 4,000 outlets in UP are on an indefinite strike since Tuesday, demanding immediate reduction in Trade Tax on petroleum products and keeping it at par with other adjoining states.

The UP Petroleum Traders Association has called for the after the Mulayam government failed to accept their demands even after making several assurances.

The Association is demanding the reduction of tax on petrol and diesel from 21 to 12 per cent the same as is being charged in Delhi, Haryana, Uttaranchal and Punjab.

Meanwhile, Association president B N Shukla told UNI there was no move from the UP government to end the strike as the Chief Minister was yet to call traders for any meeting.

''This proves its insensitiveness towards the problem,'' he said.

He claimed the Association had promised the government to cover up the loss of around Rs 800 crore annually for reducing the tax on petro products by enhancing other resources.

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

He said all the petroleum outlets in UP except those owned by the oil companies were extending support to the agitation and there was no question of withdrawing the strike until the state government accepts their demands.

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

Criticising political parties for not supporting the agitation in the public interest, the association president claimed traders would not compromise on the issue.

''We are forced to take up the path of agitation as our outlets are suffering huge losses mostly in the bordering areas of Delhi and Haryana due to cheap petroleum products there,'' he added.

Mr Shukla also blamed the state officials of coming in the way of the CM to accept the ''genuine'' demand of the association.

In the state capital, long queues were witnessed at the two company owned petroleum outlets.

Sources claimed Mr Yadav was expected to meet the association leaders this evening to evolve a consensus to end the strike.

''Efforts are on to bring the agitating petroleum outlet owners to the negotiation table to solve the issue at the earliest,'' sources maintained.

UNI MB VS PB RAI1815