Rajasthan – Fuel pump stations in Rajasthan will remain shut for two days starting Sunday as the state petroleum dealers association has called for a strike demanding a reduction in value-added tax (VAT) levied on petrol and diesel. The symbolic strike will begin from 6.00 am on March 10 and will continue till 6.00 am on March 12, according to Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association.
The association claims that Rajasthan has the highest VAT on petrol and diesel in the country, which has made the fuel prices in the state much higher than the neighboring states. The association says that the high fuel prices have adversely affected the business of the dealers and the consumers, especially in the border areas where people prefer to buy fuel from the neighboring states where it is cheaper.
The association also alleges that the oil companies have not increased the dealer commissions for the last seven years, despite the rising operational costs and inflation. The association says that the dealer commissions are fixed at Rs 3.56 per liter for petrol and Rs 2.55 per liter for diesel, which are insufficient to cover the expenses and earn a reasonable profit.
The association has been demanding the state government to reduce the VAT on petrol and diesel by at least 10%, and the oil companies to increase the dealer commissions by at least 50%. The association says that it has been raising these issues with the authorities for a long time, but no action has been taken so far. The association says that it has no option but to resort to the strike to draw the attention of the government and the public to their plight.
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How will it affect the public?
The strike will affect the availability of fuel in the state for two days, which may cause inconvenience to the public, especially those who need to travel long distances or have emergency situations. The association has appealed to the public to cooperate with the strike and understand their problems. The association has also assured that the strike will not affect the supply of essential services such as ambulances, fire brigades, police, and hospitals.
The strike may also have an impact on the state’s economy, as the transport sector, which depends heavily on fuel, may face disruptions and losses. The strike may also affect the tourism industry, which is one of the major sources of revenue for the state. The strike may also lead to a loss of revenue for the state government, which earns a substantial amount from the VAT on fuel.
What is the government’s response?
The state government has not yet responded to the strike call by the fuel station operators. However, the state transport minister, Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, has said that the government is aware of the issue and is working to find a solution. He has also appealed to the association to call off the strike and hold talks with the government. He has said that the strike will not benefit anyone and will only cause problems for the public.
The state BJP president, Satish Poonia, has criticised the state government for its failure to address the issue and blamed it for the high fuel prices in the state. He has said that the state government has imposed a heavy burden on the people by increasing the VAT on fuel several times in the past few years. He has also accused the state government of being insensitive to the problems of the fuel station operators and the consumers.
