The Hindu Business Line : Petro dealers begin indefinite strike in Maharashtra

Motorists in Maharashtra are in for another bout of indefinite strike called by petrol pump owners affiliated to the Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers Association from Monday.

This is the second time in two months that the association called for an indefinite strike.

The federation is protesting against high sales tax being levied on petrol and diesel sales by the State Government.

Petrol pumps affiliated to public sector oil marketing companies are taking part in the strike pumps. About 231 pumps affiliated to private oil marketing are not taking part in the strike.

There was not much of an impact on Monday as petrol pumps had adequate inventories to last for the day. But, as they have stopped lifting fresh supplies from the depots, the petrol pumps are expected to go dry from Tuesday.

Mr K.P Bakshi, State Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies, said the pumps across the State may run out of fuel by Tuesday afternoon. He said the Maharashtra Government had drawn up a contingency plan to tackle the crisis.

Contingency plan

As per the plan, about 603 petrol pumps in the State, which are run by the BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation and sugar cooperatives societies, would be kept open to retails sales. Usually these pumps are only used for the captive consumption of these bodies.

However, the Union Petroleum Ministry had to give clearance to these petrol pumps to sell fuel to retail customers. "We are waiting for the clearance from the Petroleum Ministry," Mr Bakshi said.

Mr Bakshi also said that public sector oil companies had agreed to keep open the 166 petrol pumps they directly own, which would help water down the impact of the strike.

The Union Petroleum Minister, Mr Murli Deora, said that the State Government should fulfil its commitment to bring down high sales tax on petroleum products. While he supported the demand of dealers to reduce sales tax, the Minister, however, stressed that he was not in favour of strikes.

He said the strike was not a justified solution and the dealers should call it off.

More Stories on : Petroleum | Retailing | Taxation | Maharashtra

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