Delhi petrol pump outlets to close on October 28 to protest VAT

Petrol pump operators in the national capital on Monday said they will shut their fuel outlets for a day on October 28 in protest against the Delhi government's refusal to reduce value added tax (VAT).

VAT on diesel in Delhi is 12.5 % compared with about 9 % in Haryana, which makes its lucrative for truckers to tank up in the neighbouring state.

"All the 400 petrol pumps in Delhi will remain closed on that day and no diesel, petrol or CNG would be sold," Delhi Petrol Dealers Association Atul Peshwaria said in a statement.

A litre of diesel is Rs 1.50 costlier in Delhi due to higher VAT as compared to Haryana, he said.

He claimed the Delhi government is losing almost Rs 400 crore in revenue due to loss of business to Haryana.