Fuel pumps to shut doors, go for strike on June 18

Kolkata: Refuelling stations will remain closed on June 18, as the West Bengal Petroleum Dealers' Association has called for a strike, protesting against the alarming hike in petrol and diesel prices.

They also demanded petrol and diesel to be brought under the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

In the past nine days, petrol and diesel prices have increased almost every day. In this time period, the price of petrol has gone up from Rs 77.50

to Rs 79.53. Similarly, the price of Diesel has gone up from Rs 68.68 to Rs 70.63.

With the abrupt increase in the price of petrol and diesel, the sale of the same has gone down significantly. So, owners of refueling stations, who are members of the association, have decided to go for a strike on June 18.

They will be submitting a deputation to senior officials of the oil companies in the state. Besides raising the issue of the drop in sales due to abrupt hike in the prices of petrol and diesel, they will also protest against the alleged short supply of fuel in tankers.

Tushar Kanti Sen, president of the association, said: "Since we have come to know that some taxi owners' associations have also called for a strike protesting against the same on June 18, we have decided to go for the strike on the same day."

"Initially, we will go for a strike for one day and the agitation will be intensified if the prices of petrol and diesel do not come down," he said.

It is being apprehended that the abrupt hike in the prices of petrol and diesel is also going to leave an impact on the prices of essential goods.

A section of bus owners have also started demanding a hike in fare and they would also go for an agitation over the issue.

It may be recalled that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had expressed concern in this connection on Sunday and tweeted: "We are very concerned about the rising prices of petrol and diesel. This will certainly affect prices all around. Common people, farmers and many others will suffer."

The prices of essential goods would also go up, as the transportation cost will increase. The truck owners would also start asking for more fare to transport goods and it will directly leave an effect on the prices of essential commodities.

It may be mentioned that Trinamool Congress workers had also staged a protest in connection to the same issue on Monday.