Harya petrol pumps closed, motorists inconvenienced

Chandigarh, July 20 : Petrol pump dealers across Harya began an indefinite strike on Monday, greatly inconveniencing motorists. Over 2,300 petrol pump dealers went on strike to protest against the recent increase in VAT (value added tax) on diesel by the Harya government.  People could get petrol and diesel only at a few filling stations, most of which are run by the oil companies themselves or by state government agencies. Motorists in major cities and towns like Gurgaon, Faridabad, Panchkula, Panipat, Rohtak, Hisar and Ambala were the worst hit. “All petrol pump dealers have gone on strike from today (Monday). We had announced the strike on July 17 but the government did not listen to our demands. Our strike is indefinite,” said Palwinder Singh Oberoi, senior vice president of the Harya petroleum dealers association. (IANS)