The Hindu : National : Oil dealers call off strike

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Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006
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Oil dealers call off strike

Special Correspondent

Demand for lowering sales tax on auto fuels to be considered sympathetically

Retail dealers hold talks with Murli Deora
Ready for evaluation post-reduction

Government agrees to no action demand

NEW DELHI: Petroleum product dealers in Maharashtra on Tuesday called off their strike after the Petroleum Ministry's assurance that their demand for lowering sales tax on auto fuels would be considered sympathetically. The decision came after a two-hour meeting with Petroleum Minister Murli Deora.

The strike started on Sunday midnight to protest against the 33 per cent sales tax on diesel in the State, which they said was leading to flight of high volume business to the neighbouring States of Chhattisgarh, Goa and Andhra Pradesh.

The Minister met representatives of retail outlets from Maharashtra and those from the Federation of All-India Petroleum Traders. At his request, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel joined in.

Mr. Deora told reporters that he raised the issue with the Maharashtra Government and also facilitated a meeting between the Federation of Maharashtra Petrol Dealers' Association.

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