The indefinite strike called under the banner of the Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association to demand a reduction in VAT on petrol and diesel came to an end on Friday after nearly 10 hours. An agreement was reached between the government and the association on three points. After this, the association announced the end of the strike.
Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas acted as a mediator on behalf of the government, and after a meeting with the association’s officials at the secretariat, information on the points agreed upon was shared in a press conference.
On the other hand, on Friday morning, only emergency vehicles were given fuel at petrol pumps. However, petrol pumps in Jodhpur, Alwar, and Jaisalmer did not participate in the strike and continued selling petrol and diesel. Meanwhile, the association is still insisting that a decision be made regarding the reduction of VAT, and they will end the strike only after receiving written assurance.
Minister Khachariyawas said that the current price of crude oil is $90 per barrel. When Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister, the price of crude oil was $138 per barrel. He said, “The question is not about Congress or BJP; it’s about the truth. The public should check the crude oil prices online. Today, petrol is over Rs 100, and diesel is around Rs 100. The public should see that during Manmohan Singh’s tenure, despite high crude oil prices, petrol and diesel were cheaper. At that time, the prices of petrol and diesel were even less than Rs 70.”
Not only did Khachariyawas mention crude oil prices, but he also said that it’s not about the price; it’s about intentions. He said that the central government has eliminated the rights of the states. He also emphasized that the central government is not increasing the Basic Excise Duty, while Special Excise, Additional Excise, and Cess are being increased to fill their coffers. Khachariyawas said that if the central government is concerned about the public, then petrol and diesel should be brought under the GST regime, and if petrol and diesel are included in the GST, their prices will drop by Rs 40 immediately, and the central treasury will not be filled. So, petrol and diesel are not being brought under the GST.
Khachariyawas said that VAT has not only been increased by the Congress government in Rajasthan. VAT has always been higher in Rajasthan. Even when the BJP was in power, VAT was high. It is noteworthy that petrol pump operators have gone on strike before regarding VAT. In November 2017, during the tenure of the Vasundhara Raje government, petrol pump operators went on strike demanding a reduction in VAT. This strike lasted for one day, and the very next day, then Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje called them for a meeting.
