P.V. Anandpadmanabhan

Petrol and diesel pump dealers across Maharashtra, have called for a 24-hour strike from 6 AM on Monday. Residents of Navi Mumbai and Thane will be affected by the strike except Mumbai city and its surrounding suburbs. 

"The striking dealers are protesting against recovery of multiple taxes by civic bodies and the state government. The dealers have been complaining about loss of sales due to payment of sales tax, value-added tax (VAT), octroi, local body tax (LBT), export LBT and state specific charge (SSC). These multiple taxes also lead to higher fuel price in certain cities and towns,” said A.S. Dikshit president of (FAMPEDA).

FAMPEDA had recently urged the state government to either abolish State Specific Charge (SSC) or tone down VAT by 3% to bring prices on a par with the neighboring states.

Public transport buses, Municipal Corporation transport services, auto rickshaws, Taxis will be affected as these depend on petrol pumps for fuel.

Talks with the government has still not provided any solutions, said Dikshit.
The association has pressed for a "one-Maharashtra, one-tax" regime and has decided to observe a "holiday" on August 11 to press for the demand, the source added.

FAMPEDA members said, “Petrol and diesel have become costlier in Maharashtra from Rs 5 earlier to currently Rs 6 a litre due to various taxes.”