Petrol Pump Operators in Rajasthan: Petrol pump operators across Rajasthan, including Jaipur, are on strike today. They will keep the pumps closed from 6 AM to 6 PM on October 1st, demanding a resolution to reduce VAT (Value Added Tax) on petrol and diesel.
Prior to this, on Saturday night, pump operators turned off the lights at the pumps for two hours from 8 PM to 10 PM, refusing sales.
Rajendra Singh Bhati, President of the Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association, stated that the government had requested a solution, including reducing VAT on petrol and diesel, within ten days.
However, even after 13 days, no resolution has been reached. Frustrated with the government's approach, they have called for a strike on October 1st from 6 AM to 6 PM.
If there is no action after this strike, they will go on an indefinite strike starting from October 2nd.
It is estimated that approximately 7,000 pumps across the state will remain closed, with about 100 COCO pumps (Company Owned, Company Operated) staying open.
In Jaipur, seven COCO pumps will continue petrol and diesel sales. If the government fails to address their concerns, all pumps in the state will go on indefinite strike from October 2nd.
This strike is expected to affect the sale of approximately 15,231 kiloliters of diesel and 68,859 kiloliters of petrol daily in the state.
This would result in a daily revenue loss of approximately 44 crore rupees for the government.
A symbolic strike was also held for two days on September 13th and 14th, followed by an indefinite strike from September 15th when there was no response from the government.
The strike was suspended on September 15th during discussions with the government, but with no resolution, they have been forced to go on strike again.
Hindustan Petroleum, Vidhyadhar Nagar
Hindustan Petroleum, Daulatpura Chandwaji Road
Hindustan Petroleum, Near Ajmer Pulia on Jacob Road Corner
Indian Oil, Near Mansarovar Tibetan Market
Indian Oil, Opposite Central Jail
Bharat Petroleum, 22 Godam Circle, Sahkar Marg
Bharat Petroleum, Jagatpura and Sitapura
Rajendra Singh Bhati, the President of the Association, stated, "When the state government is not dependent on the central government for gas cylinders priced at 500 rupees, why is it depending on the central government for petrol and diesel?
Isn't petrol and diesel essential for the common man? Currently, due to the high VAT rates on petrol and diesel, 270 petrol pumps have been forced to shut down.
Approximately 2,000 pumps that sell between 50 to 100 kiloliters of fuel daily are on the verge of closing down.
The most expensive fuel in India is currently being sold in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Here, the price of one litre of petrol has reached INR 113.30, while diesel is priced at INR 98.07 per litre.
The cheapest petrol and diesel can be found in Port Blair, where petrol is priced at INR 84.10 per litre, and diesel costs INR 79.74 per liter.
