400 petrol pumps in Delhi will remain shut today to protest against the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government's refusal to lower the Value Added Tax or VAT on petrol and diesel. The strike could cause inconvenience to commuters today, as petrol pumps across Delhi will be shut for 23 hours. The protest was called by the Delhi Petrol Dealers' Association on October 10, which was days after the centre decided to slash VAT for 13 states which are led by the ruling BJP. The association said customers had been flocking to adjoining states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to get access to cheaper fuel, something which the association said sharply dipped petrol and diesel sales in the national capital.
"The price reduction in UP and Haryana has led to a decline in sale of petrol by 20% and diesel by 30% in Delhi till October 15. It is expected to further decline in the coming days," Nischal Singhania, president of the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association, told NDTV.
Mr Kejriwal however, alleged the strike was politically motivated. ""Petrol pump owners have told us privately that this is a BJP-sponsored strike, actively supported by oil companies," he tweeted.
Petrol and diesel prices at the national capital today, stood at Rs 81.44 per litre (a decrease by 30 paise) and Rs 74.92 per litre (a decrease by 27 paise), according to news agency ANI. On Sunday, petrol prices stood at Rs 81.74, whereas diesel cost Rs 75.19 per litre.
The petrol dealers' body also alleged buying lower-grade fuel from neighbouring states will result in pollution levels shooting up in Delhi.
Here are the highlights on the Delhi Petrol Pump Strike today:
Oil prices lowest in Delhi amongst the four metros. Why aren't petrol pumps in Mumbai, which has highest prices, on strike? Becoz Mumbai is BJP govt and BJP is behind today's strike in Delhi. BJP MUST apologize to the people of Delhi pic.twitter.com/v5BUI0cfRG
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 22, 2018
It is regrettable that due to the obstinate attitude of Kejriwal Government, today the people of Delhi, have to purchase Petrol-Diesel from the neighbouring states as Petrol-Diesel is more costly in Delhi. Mr. Kejriwal is fully responsible for the mess Delhi is facing today. pic.twitter.com/ZB68rvAZnz
- BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) October 22, 2018
Delhi: All 400 petrol pumps along with linked CNG dispensing units to remain shut from 6 am today to 5 am tomorrow in protest against Delhi govt's refusal to reduce VAT on diesel & petrol in the national capital. The protest has been called by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association. pic.twitter.com/RYQr85FrZm
- ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2018
Read Here: Auto Rickshaw, Taxi Unions In Delhi To Go On Strike TodayCommuters in the national capital may face problems as auto-rickshaw and taxi unions have decided to go on a strike today against the Delhi government's policies on cab aggregators.
Petrol pump owners hv told us privately that this is a BJP sponsored strike, actively supported by oil cos. In fact, BJP has thrust it upon petrol pump owners. People will give BJP a befitting reply in elections for continuously inconveniencing people thro their dirty politics. https://t.co/S8pLZNbIOw
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 21, 2018
Read Here: 400 Fuel Pumps Shut In Delhi Today, Arvind Kejriwal Blames BJPAround 400 petrol pumps in Delhi that also sell Compressed Natural Gas, will remain shut for 23 hours starting 6 am today in protest against Delhi government's refusal to reduce Value Added Tax on diesel and petrol. The protest was called by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association earlier this week - days after 13 states slashed VAT following a request by Union minister Arun Jaitley.
