New Delhi, Dec 27: Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora today appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav seeking his immediate intervention for reducing Sales Tax on petrol and diesel to lessen the burden of high prices on the consumers.

The petroleum dealers have gone on strike against the huge difference between the rates of sales tax on petrol and diesel in UP vis-a-vis the rates prevailing in neighbouring states.

In a letter to Mr Yadav, the Union Minister cited the initiative taken by the Central Government by reducing the retail selling price of petrol by Rs 2 per litre and diesel by Re one litre in order to reduce the burden on the common man.

Mr Deora said the sales tax on petrol in Delhi is 20 per cent and on diesel 12.5 per cent while the corresponding figures in UP are 25 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. In addition, the State Government is levying development charge of 1 per cent.

''The difference in sales tax has led to the price difference of over Rs 3.50 per litre in petrol and diesel,'' he pointed out.

Mr Deora appealed to the agitating dealers to immediately call off their strike as he has already taken up the matter with the UP Chief Minister.

He also emphasised that the strike puts consumers to uncalled for hardships.

UNI