Fuel strike continues in U.P.

Dealers demand reduction in taxes on diesel and petrol to 11 p.c. and 20 p.c.

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Petroleum Traders Association (UPPTA) continued their State-wide strike for the second day on Wednesday, as talks with the government to reduce taxes on diesel and petrol failed. ``We have talked to Principal Secretary Food and Civil Supplies Sudhir Kumar but it did not yield any results. We have decided to continue our strike till positive response comes from the Government,’’ UPPTA Senior Vice President Harish Mittal told PTI here.

The Association is demanding reduction in taxes on diesel and petrol to 11 per cent and 20 per cent respectively as sale of fuel in petrol pumps in the State is going down. Due to low taxes in neighbouring States, Uttar Pradesh witnessed a decline in sale of diesel, used by transporters and the farming community.

All the 4,000 petrol pumps in the State are participating in the strike. However, 35 Company Owned and Company Operated petrol pumps, including two in the State Capital, are not participating in the strike.

Meanwhile, people were seen standing in long queues outside the two petrol pumps opened in the city.—PTI