THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Petrol pump owners in the state have announced that they will no longer supply fuel to government vehicles. The action comes as the government owes lakhs of money to several pump owners for providing fuel to government vehicles and government contractors. The All Kerala Federation of Petroleum Traders stated that they will not provide fuel to government vehicles until the dues are cleared.

The owners said that the government owes Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs to each pump. There are also arrears of crores in the name of fuel provided to government contractors. As a result, the pump owners have decided to stop providing fuel to government vehicles from January 1. With this, the government, which is currently facing a financial crisis, will be under more pressure.

Usually, the government has a time of 15 to 30 days for payment for fuel. However, the pumps were forced to take a tough stand as they did not receive money even after six months. The pump owners, however, clarified that the boycott will not affect police vehicles.

'Government vehicles will not be supplied with fuel from January 1 if the government does not clear the current dues. This decision will be implemented throughout Kerala,' The All Kerala Federation of Petroleum Traders said in a statement.