UP Petroleum Traders Seek VAT Reduction

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><root available-locales="en_US," default-locale="en_US"><static-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>Uttar Pradesh Petroleum Traders Association has requested Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to reduce VAT rates on petroleum products and bring it at par with Delhi and Haryana.<br><br>"The sale of diesel and petrol in UP is low in comparison to the neighbouring states because of high VAT rates being charged here. We request the CM to look into the matter and ensure that VAT is reduced and bring it at par with Delhi and Haryana", said B N Shukla, President of the association.<br><br>At a meeting of the association yesterday, the members urged the government remove VAT on lubricating oil, he said.<br><br>Shukla said the state government should abolish licence on diesel as dealers have to suffer harassment at various official levels for its renewal.<br><br>The other demands of the association included simplification of various taxes being charged from petrol pumps by municipal corporations, Jal Sansthans and Zila Parishads and payment of pending bills for diesel and petrol supplied during elections.<br><br><br>(PTI)</p>