Various Opposition parties on Thursday severely criticised the State Government for imposing an additional three-per cent VAT on petrol and diesel and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan said the State Government has added fuel to the woes of the people by increasing petrol price by Rs1.33 and diesel price by Rs1.49 per litre.“People of the State will now pay 23-per cent VAT against the existing 20 per cent on petrol and diesel. The increased tax would jack up transportation charges, bus fair and essential commodity prices. Resultantly, the economic condition of people would be harmed and inflation will assume a further rising trend. The Government must withdraw the decision immediately,” Harichandan said in a statement.
He wanted to know why the State Government increased VAT while claiming that the economic condition of the State has vastly improved.Similarly, the CPI(M) stated that both the Central and State Governments have taken advantage of the decrease in the crude oil prices in the international market in their interests.“While prices of crude oil have decreased by 47 per cent, the Indian oil companies have effected a mere 15-per cent cut on fuel prices.
Similarly, the State Government has increased diesel and petrol prices by hiking VAT. Both the Governments have taken advantage of decrease in the crude oil prices and are not at all interested to allow the people enjoy oil price cuts,” the CPM said in a statement, demanding immediate withdrawal of VAT and indirect taxes on petrol and diesel.