Alert! Petrol pumps in Delhi to remain shut on October 22

In a mark of protest against the CM Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government’s refusal to cut value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, all petrol and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) pumps in Delhi will remain closed on October 22.

The Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA), in a statement, said, “All petrol and CNG pumps in the national capital will remain closed on October 22 as the association has decided to go on a strike.” “The strike has been called in protest against the Delhi government’s refusal to cut VAT on petrol and diesel,” it added.

Notably, Delhi has a higher VAT than neighboring states. In comparison to Delhi, fuel rates in bordering states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are cheaper.

On October 4, the centre announced a cut of Rs 2.50 a litre each for petrol and diesel and urged state governments to match the reduction to provide relief from high fuel prices. Many BJP-ruled states including Maharashtra, Gujarat Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Uttarakhand, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir announced the reduction in prices of petrol and diesel.

However, the Delhi government refused to reduce VAT on both petrol and diesel

According to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), petrol was sold at Rs. 8283 per litre on Tuesday in the national capital. Petrol rates stood at Rs 80.24 per litre, Rs 81.47 per litre in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana respectively. While diesel prices stood at Rs 75.69 per litre, Rs73.67 per litre, Rs 74.49 per litre in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana respectively, with effect from 6 am on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a litre of petrol was sold at Rs 88.29 per litre in Mumbai, while the price of diesel was revised to Rs 79.35 per litre on Tuesday.

Importantly, there was no hike in prices of fuel on Wednesday.

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