leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Ajay Singh has asked Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan the reason behind reducing VAT on petrol and diesel on October 13, 2017 and now levying one per cent cess on these products.
In a statement, Singh reminded Chouhan the days of June, 2008, when opposing the then UPA government at Centre, on rising prices of petrol and diesel, he had used bicycle for reaching his office in the State Mantralaya from his residence. Singh asked whether he is still in possession of that bicycle and would ride it once against his own government over the similar reasons. “If that bicycle is missing, Congress group of legislators could gift him one,” he added.
Singh stated that in 2008, the reason behind increasing petrol and diesel prices was that there was spurt in the prices in global market. However, the present rise in prices is only due to the decision of State government, because State government has imposed taxes of Rs 26.62 on one litre petrol and Rs 25.85 on per litre diesel.