The BJP would stage demonstrations at all district headquarters in the State on Friday in protest against the State Government’s imposition of an additional 3-per cent valued added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel prices, informed BJP State president KV Singh Deo here on Thursday.
The State Government on Wednesday imposed the additional VAT on petrol and diesel with immediate effect. The revision of VAT jacked up petrol and diesel prices in the State by Rs 1.49 and Rs 1.33 per litre, respectively.The rate of VAT, which was 20 per cent earlier on petrol and diesel, was hiked to 23 per cent after a State Cabinet decision on Wednesday.
BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma slammed the State Government and accused it of being anti-people and of adopting an agenda similar to the one pursued by the erstwhile UPA Government at the Centre.While people had heaved a sigh of relief and appreciated the steps taken by Modi Government, the Odisha Government’s move on the pretext of its revenue loss would be taxing for the common people, Sharma said.
In the last six months since July 1, the petrol prices have been reduced by Rs 13 and diesel prices by Rs 9.17, he pointed out.“On the one hand, the State Government has been crediting itself for having generated surplus revenue and on the other it is increasing petrol and diesel prices to compensate revenue loss! How justified is the moveIJ” Sharma asked.