Petroleum dealers' in Kolkata on daylong strike

Kolkata, July 23 (ANI): The West Bengal Petroleum Dealers' Association (WBPDA) called for a 24-hour strike here on Friday to protest the 'irrational' policies of the major oil companies in the country.

Around 2,000 petrol pump dealers took part in the strike, as the WBPDA claimed that despite paying full prices for petroleum products, the oil companies supply less quantity of fuel at pumps.

"Today neither we will purchase nor we will sell petrol. The 2,000 petrol pumps all across West Bengal would remain close today and won't sell or purchase any petroleum product. The main reason for our protest is that we always pay for 12,000 litres, but we get around only 11,850 or 11,800 litres of fuel," said Jaydeb Sarkar, Working President of the WBPDA.

On the other hand, the locals here had to face a lot of problems due to the strike.

"I was not aware that a strike has been called today. My car's petrol tank was almost empty, so I just came for a refill and came to know about the strike. The tank is almost empty I don't know how I will go to office and come back," said Anil Goel, a customer.

The WBPDA has also demanded the State Government to lift the five percent sales tax on the petroleum products. (ANI)