UP petroleum traders to observe bandh against commercial tax

Petroleum traders of Uttar Pradesh will observe a state-wide bandh on September 28 to press for their demand of reduction in commercial tax on petrol and diesel.
This was announced today by the Uttar Pradesh Petroleum Traders Association, which has called for the strike.
"The association has announced to close all petrol pumps on September 28 so as to attract the attention of state government towards the problems of the consumers," (UPPTA) chief B N Shukla said in a statement issued here.
Shukla said it has been communicated to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, officers concerned, and the oil companies that entry tax on petro products should be abolished.

It has also been demanded that tax on petrol should be reduced from 26.55 per cent to 20 per cent, and that on diesel from 17.23 per cent to 12.5 per cent, he said.
Shukla said due to higher commercial tax, the retail price of petrol and diesel in Uttar Pradesh was comparatively higher than that in states like Haryana, Delhi, Uttrakhand and Bihar.