M'shtra petro dealers on indefinite strike

Petrol pump dealers across Maharashtra launched an indefinite strike from early today morning to protest against high sales tax.

"The strike is total," Ravi Shindhe, president of Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers' Association, said.

He said company-owned-company-operated (COCO) pumps are, however, operating in the state.

Sales tax in Maharashtra is the highest in the country at 34% when compared with neighbouring states of Goa (21%), Andhra Pradesh (28%), Gujarat (28%) and Karnataka (30%).

The trade body has not received any call from the government to withdraw the strike, Shindhe said.