Mumbai, September 12: Petrol pumps, or fuel stations as they are known, will remain closed in Rajasthan for two days over higher VAT prices in the state. The Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association (RPDA) has called for a two-day strike in the state to protest against high value-added tax (VAT) rates. As per the announcement, fuel stations across Rajasthan will remain closed on Wednesday. September 13 and Thursday, September 14.

Speaking to the Times of India, representatives of the dealers' association said they will go on an indefinite strike from September 15 if the state government does not reduce tax rates. As per the report, VAT rates on petrol and diesel in Rajasthan are the highest compared to neighbouring states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat. Monu Manesar Arrested: Haryana Police Detain Junaid-Nasir Murder Case Accused, May Hand Him Over to Rajasthan Police (Watch Video).

Reportedly, VAT rates on fuels in Rajasthan are the second highest in the country. This comes even after the Central government reduced the VAT rates last year. The association also said that people of Rajasthan pay as high as 20 percent of the auto fuels as VAT. Suneet Bagai, former RPDA president, said they wrote to the government to reduce VAT and road cess.

"If the government does not act, we will go on an indefinite strike from September 15," he added. Meanwhile, the report also stated that many fuel pumps in the border areas of Rajasthan have shut their business as vehicle owners are reportedly buying fuel from neighbouring states as the prices are lower over there. Rajasthan Minister Shanti Dhariwal Should Be Thrown Into Arabian Sea for Remark Linking ‘Masculinity’ With Rapes, Says Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat (Watch Video).

"Diesel prices are cheaper by Rs 10-11 and petrol by Rs 15 (in the neighbouring states). So why would anybody buy in Rajasthan when they can buy just across the state borders and save substantial sums of money?" Bagai said. He also said that recent inflation relief camps were of no use as high fuel prices made all goods, commodities and services costlier in the state.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2023 07:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).