Petrol bunk bandh in AP

Hyderabad, Oct 1: With the slapping of Rs 4 VAT on one litre of diesel, all petrol bunks across Andhra Pradesh are observing an indefinite bandh starting today. Andhra Pradesh Federation of Petroleum Traders (APFPT) are demanding the immediate withdrawal of the additional VAT on diesel and All India Motor Transporters Congress are supporting the bandh and have withdrawn their lorries and oil tankers from the roads in the state. As a result of the bandh, there was heavy rush at several petrol and diesel stations with vehicles queuing up to fill fuel in their two-wheelers and four-wheelers late on Wednesday evening. The convenor of the JAC of the oil traders in the state, YV Eswara Rao, said the state government's order on VAT lacked clarity. He said their prime demand was reduction of VAT on fuel. A lot will depend on a meeting in Hyderabad between the government representative and representatives of the oil traders and the strike will be continued as usual, said Eswara Rao.