54,000 petrol pumps declare 24-hour strike on Oct 13

The association members demand that all petroleum products be brought under GST. The pumps also demand consideration of the long-pending issues. All the petroleum products must be brought under the GST regime so that the demand of `one nation, one rate' can be fulfilled to benefit the consumers.

Close to 54,000 petrol pumps are likely to go on a nation-wide strike from midnight on October 13, demanding inclusion of petroleum products under GST. The pumps also demand consideration of the long-pending issues. 

Uday Lodhi, President of Federation of All Maharashtra Petrol Dealers Association said, "All the petroleum products must be brought under the GST regime so that the demand of `one nation, one rate' can be fulfilled to benefit the consumers."

He further pointed that the Daily Price Mechanism, which was implemented in July, must be reconsidered as it has failed to be beneficial for both dealers and consumers. The association also demands that the proposed home delivery services be also reconsidered as it has major security issues. Lodhi said that the decision was taken at the joint meeting of United Petroleum Front, which is a conglomerate of three petrol dealer's organisation. 

Some of the other demands that have been posed include implementing agreement signed with oil manufacturing companies in 2016, scrapping unfair penalties imposed under Marketing Discipline Guidelines and approve revised dealer margins every six months. 

Lodhi said that the strike would continue indefinitely if the demands are not accepted. "As a first step, we shall stop buying and selling petrol diesel at all petrol pumps on October 13," he said.