Rajasthan fuel stations to shut on sept 13-14, protest high VAT rates

Fuel stations across Rajasthan will be closed on September 13 and 14, as the Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association (RPDA) called for a strike to protest against the high value-added tax (VAT) rates. Rajendra Singh Bhati, the state president of RPDA, has also warned that if the state government does not reduce these tax rates, an indefinite strike will commence on September 15.

More than 5,700 privately operated fuel pumps across the state are participating in the strike.

Compared to neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Gujarat, VAT rates on petrol and diesel in Rajasthan are the highest, even after a reduction last year,