Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday condemned Congress-led Punjab Government for putting “unbearable burden” on the common man by doubling registration fee for sale deeds as well as legal documents on the back of drastic increase in power tariff, bus fares and a host of other taxes.

“It seems the Congress Government is bent upon putting the burden of its inability to manage State finances on the common man,” said former Minister and SAD spokesman Maheshinder Singh Grewal.

Grewal said that it was stupefying that the Congress Government had taken a decision to double registration charges on sale deeds at a time when there was a slump in the real estate market.

“At such times, the registration charges need to be reduced not increased. It is also shocking that fee for all legal documents, including registration of wills, has been doubled,” he said.

SAD leader said that Finance Minister Manpreet Badal should explain why he was transferring the burden of his inefficiencies on the public. “This move would result in a further slowdown in the real estate market and de-accelerate the State’s economy,” he said.

Grewal demanded that the Congress Government should come out with a white paper to explain where central funds, meant for various schemes as well as revenue generated from State taxes, was being spent.

“Punjabis pay the most for petrol and diesel due to high state taxes, but the Government refuses to relent and is going ahead with anti-people moves like doubling of registration charges on sale deeds. This needs to be revoked immediately,” he said.