Most of the 1,100 petrol pumps in Gujarat remained closed Monday as part of a nationwide shutdown called by dealers demanding a higher commission on sales.

Thousands of consumers were affected as the relatively few petrol pumps run by the state government's civil supplies department and private oil companies remained open.

"Almost all the petrol dealers in the state are on strike. We are requesting the remaining ones to join us," said Gujarat Petrol Dealers' Association secretary Arvind Thakkar.

"We want a five percent commission on sales, otherwise this business does not make sense."

The dealers of the central public sector oil companies have threatened an indefinite strike from July 18.

"We will continue our agitation and launch a nationwide indefinite strike from July 18 if our demands are not met," Thakkar said.

The dealers were on a daylong shutdown in April as well but the oil companies refused to accept their demands.