New Delhi, October 22: All 400 petrol pumps in the national capital, along with the CNG units, will remain closed today. The fuel stations will not be selling petrol, diesel or compressed natural gas from 6:00am on Monday (October 22) till 5:00 am on Tuesday (October 23).

The shutdown has been called by the Delhi Petrol Dealers Association (DPDA), as a mark of protest against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government's decision to not to reduce Value Added Tax or VAT on petroleum products. Petrol, Diesel Prices Slashed After Long Period, Some Relief to Consumers.

DPDA president Nischal Singhania said the decision by AAP government to not to reduce the VAT rate has forced vehicle-owners in Delhi to refuel their cars and bikes from the adjoining regions of NCR, where the VAT rates of either Uttar Pradesh or Haryana are applied.

The two neighbouring states had reduced the VAT rate last month, after the Centre had slashed excise duty by Rs 2.50 and directed the state governments to extend a similar benefit.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, however, had refrained from complying with the order, claiming that the Centre should bear the responsibility of reducing the fuel rates rather than depriving the state government of its handful sources of revenue. "They should slash the excise duty by upto Rs 10," he had said.

Singhania claimed that the sale of fuel in petrol pumps based in Delhi has declined by 50-60 per cent as most of the motorists are refueling their cars in nearby Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and other regions of the NCR. Apart from the dip of sales, DPDA chief added, it would also affect the livelihood of people as several petrol pump owners would be forced to cut down their staff in wake of losses.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 21, 2018 08:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).