Maharashtra: State-wide petrol pump strike from midnight

About 2,200 petrol and CNG stations of Maharashtra under the banner of Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers' Association, will go on an indefinite strike from midnight on Sunday to protest against the state government's 'high level of sales tax and other related issues'.

"The sales tax in Maharashtra is the highest in the country at 34 percent when compared to its neighbouring states of Goa with 21 percent, Andhra Pradesh 28 percent, Gujarat 28 percent and Karnataka 30 percent," Fampeda president Ravi Shindhe told PTI.

"The disparity is leading to the flight of high volume of diesel trade from our state to the neighbouring states, which have markedly lower rates," he added.

Fampeda general secretary Uday Lodh said repeated missives to draw the government's attention to the plight of dealers have gone in vain and they had no other alternative but to go on an indefinite strike. "The strike will continue if the government does not invite us to find an amicable solution to our problems," he added.