Delhi petrol pump strike on October 22: Dealers announce shut down; all details here

Delhi petrol pump strike: Petrol, diesel prices in Delhi have become higher than those of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh after the central government announced a cut in excise duty and that was followed by the similar reduction by these 2 and other states. This made petrol and diesel cheaper by Rs 5 per litre. However, the Delhi government is yet to reduce the VAT on the oil.

The petrol pumps are facing as much as around 20 to 30 per cent losses due to the higher prices in the national capital, said the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA). Now the association has decided to go on strike for one day starting 6 am on 22 October to 5 am on 23 October.

Around 400 petrol pumps in Delhi will be shut on October 22-23 to press for a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) by Delhi government. Since many of these have CNG refueling facilities, the compressed gas users also won't be able to refuel their vehicles.

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In comparison with Delhi, petrol in UP and Haryana is cheaper by Rs 2.59 and Rs 1.95 per litre, respectively, while diesel in these two states is cheaper by Rs 2.02 and Rs 1.72 per litre, respectively.

"Because of the high price in Delhi and low prices in states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, customers are deserting the petrol pumps in Delhi leading to a huge drop in sales," claimed the association.

The association alleged that the price difference has caused a sharp drop of 50-60 per cent in the sale of diesel and 25 per cent in petrol in Delhi during the current quarter.

It also said that almost 200 petrol pumps out of 400 pumps would be on a verge of closing down leading to retrenchment of thousands of workers affecting lakhs of people in the city.

What is more worrying that the environment-friendly Euro VI grade fuel is available only in the National Capital Territory. However, consumers are opting for low grade cheaper fuel being sold in the neighbouring states which also affects the air quality of the national capital. 

Euro VI fuel produces 80 per cent less emissions than Euro IV fuels.