The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Monday asked Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar to stop “sham” protests on the issue of lowering taxes on petrol and diesel and instead put pressure on the Congress government in the state to slash VAT on these petroleum products to give an instantaneous relief of Rs 20 per liter to the common man.
Former Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, speaking about the protests by the state Congress, said that it was incumbent on PPCC president Sunil Jakhar to tell Punjabis why he was indulging in deceitful behavior.
“You want the Centre to reduce excise on petrol and diesel which it is already examining but refuse to put pressure on your own government to reduce state tax on both these products which is the highest in north India and the third highest in the country. You know that the State Government is charging more than Rs 20 tax on petrol and diesel,” he said.
Majithia said that Jakhar should tell Punjabis why he had “accepted” the Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal’s contention that the latter would not reduce VAT on petrol and diesel by even one paisa.
“Jakhar had earlier announced that the Congress government would reduce VAT on petrol and diesel on the pattern of the relief given by Kerala. However, after Manpreet Badal refused to reduce petrol and diesel prices, he has started indulging in meaningless protests to gain cheap publicity instead of taking on the Finance Minister and asking why no relief is being extended to the common man. Punjabis are feeling cheated by these double faced actions,” he added.
Also, reacting to Congress Government’s “draconian” decision to delay paddy transplantation by June 20 without consulting farmers, SAD leader said that such decisions were “symptomatic of Congress rule”.
“The Government seems to be multiplying the problems of farmers who are committing suicide in large numbers after it cheated and betrayed them by refusing to implement comprehensive Rs 90,000 crore loan waiver as promised. Now another crisis has been triggered by delaying paddy transplantation inordinately. late transplantation will result in increased moisture content and will make Punjab paddy virtually unsellable,” he added.