Petrol pump dealers in Ludhiana up in arms over high fuel prices in Punjab
As part of the statewide protest against higher VAT on fuel in Punjab compared to its bordering regions, and to pay tribute to deceased petrol pump owner – GS Chawal, who ended his life after reportedly going bankrupt due to the disparity, petrol pump dealers in Ludhiana district went on strike on Wednesday. The dealers rued that diesel is cheaper by Rs 6 and petrol by Rs 3.75 in Chandigarh.
President of the Punjab Petrol Pump Dealers’ Association, Paramjit Singh Doaba, said that Chawla, 76, stated in his suicide note that he had gone bankrupt due to the disparity in VAT on fuel in Chandigarh and Punjab.
“This happened due to the wrong policies of the state government as petrol prices are higher in Punjab than Chandigarh and other border states due to disparity in imposition of VAT,” Doaba said.
