Fuel stations observed a half day strike throughout Ghaziabad district on Tuesday to protest against the imposition of fresh VAT on petrol and diesel.
All fuel stations remained close in the first half of the day, Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) president Jaivir Singh said. The Uttar Pradesh government announced an imposition of VAT at Rs 2.16 on petrol and Rs 1.74 on diesel. “By imposing extra VAT on petroleum products, petrol has become dearer by Rs 6.50 and diesel by Rs 4.50 a litre,” he said. Singh added that petrol and diesel would either be smuggled from Delhi or motorists would go to Delhi, causing losses to dealers.