In Rajasthan, petrol station workers have called a statewide strike beginning this morning, September 13, in protest of the state’s higher VAT rate on diesel and petrol than its surrounding states.
On September 13 and 14, petrol pump workers will strike from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in order to alert the state government. Even after this, starting on September 15, they will embark on an indefinite strike if the government does not take their demands into account.
During the strike, there won’t be any petrol or diesel available at the pumps. Pump employees won’t buy any fuel goods either. This strike will not apply to emergency service vehicles, such as ambulances and fire engines.
Rajendra Singh Bhati, president of the Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association, stated that the association’s major demands are for the state of Rajasthan to lower the VAT rate on petrol and diesel and to raise the dealer commission. These are the demands the association set forward when it went on strike. Over 6000 petrol pumps will be shut down throughout the state at this time.
