Mumbai transporters have shot off an appeal to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray regarding the high Value Added Tax (VAT) component on fuel charges in Maharashtra. The tax is higher as compared to other states, leading to sharper spikes in petrol and diesel rates, which, in turn, is killing the lockdown-hit transport industry.

“The lockdown and related stress have already led to huge losses and are having a back-breaking impact on the road transport sector,” said Bal Malkit Singh, chairman, core committee and former president of the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).