Madhya Pradesh Petrol Pump Dealers are set to stage sit-in from June in order to support their demand of 5 per cent commission in fuel charges.

The association has decided keep all fuel stations closed once in a week. People will not get petrol or diesel for a day in week across the State. Dealers have also said to discuss the matter with Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep S Puri. A day before on May 25, petrol pumps were closed for two hours.

Madhya Pradesh Petroleum Dealers Association President Ajay Singh informed that they have decided to keep all stations closed once in a week. If their demand would not be approved, they will go on indefinite strike from July onwards. He further informed that during year 2017, commission amount of Rs 3:30 was decided for petrol and Rs 2:12 for diesel. At the time, fuel price was half of the current rate.

There are around 4900 petrol pump across Madhya Pradesh including 152 in Bhopal. Their major demands are allow refund of excise duty that is submitted in advance on old stock and fix the commission sale price as 5 per cent to be effective from year 2017. Though people get sigh of relief after centre reduced the excise duty that resulted into petrol cheaper by Rs 9 and diesel by Rs 7 per liter but petrol pumps have set their mind to demonstrate. Petrol pump owners said that they are suffering loss on old stock as they have already paid higher duties on this stock.

According to reports, on November 4 -5, 2021 midnight, Government reduced excise duty on petrol by Rs 10 and diesel by Rs 15 per liter. On May 22, 2022 petrol price was reduced by Rs 9:50 per liter and diesel by Rs 7 per liter. Dealers said that they are happy with the price slash but after deducting the excise duty, they are facing loss of 12 to 15 lakhs. They said, when they purchase diesel and petrol they submit the excise duty amount in advance. They said that they have paid the higher duties on old stock which is giving them financial burden.

Dealers said that they are receiving commission amount same as when petrol was sold for Rs 60 per liter and diesel for Rs 50 per liter while fuel price have become costlier by double fold. They demanded to increase the excise duty.