400 petrol stations go on strike in India’s Delhi

Hundreds gas stations in India started a day-long strike on Monday in protest against the local Government’s refusal to reduce VAT on fuels.

Some 400 gas stations shutdown from 6AM on Monday in Delhi for a period of 23 hours. Besides petrol and diesel pumps, CNG dispensing units also remain shut for the day.

The shutdown is in protest against the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's refusal to reduce value added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel in the national capital.

The strike has been organized by Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) and enjoyed the support of nearly 400 petrol pumps in the city.

Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, two states that share borders with Delhi, were among those which reduced their state taxes on fuel. The Kejriwal government, however, refused to reduce VAT on fuel both petrol and diesel.

"This has caused losses ranging between 20 per cent and 30 per cent, as commuters prefer to get their fuel tanks filled at a fuel station in the neighbouring cities [Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad]," the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA) said on Sunday.

As a result, petrol and diesel became cheaper than Delhi in cities like Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad, reports India Today.

The Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, one of the major auto-taxi unions in Delhi also called for a one-day strike to protest against the Delhi government’s policies on cab aggregators Uber and Ola.