UP petrol outlets' strike ends

Lucknow, Dec 29 (UNI) The four-day old indefinite strike by petrol outlets in Uttar Pradesh ended this evening with the state government assuring the traders' association that it would considering their demands by tomorrow.

Earlier, a meeting was held between the representatives of the UP Petroleum Traders Assocation (UPPTA) and state Principal Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Sudhir Kumar.

The association is demanding roll down of trade tax on petrol and diesel, so that it is at par with neighbouring states.

UPPTA president B N Shukla told mediapersons here that the state government had assured them that a positive decision would be taken by tomorrow.

''We have called off the strike in the greater interest of the people. If the government does not consider our demands by tomorrow, the assocation will chalk out its further strategy on Sunday.'' Mr Kumar said the present tax structure was implemented on the recommendation of the central coordination committee. ''Delhi has violated the norm by lowering the tax to 12.5 per cent against the standard of 20 per cent,'' he claimed.

He also questioned the petrol outlet dealers' demand for reducing the tax as it will create a net revenue deficit of Rs 1,000 crore annually. ''No government can sustain such losses,'' he added.

Earlier, it was also said the government was considering to enforce the provisions of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the striking petroleum outlet dealers.

The strike had posed grave hardships for the general people with about 4,000 petrol outlets in the state shutting shop.

Only the oil company-owned outlets -- including two in the UP capital -- were selling fuel in the state during the strike period.

MORE UNI MB VS VD RK1850