Scores of resident welfare associations and civil society groups in the national Capital on Saturday requested the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal requesting to reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel in the city. The people further claimed that they are already suffering from rising cost of essential commodities as well as there is a lack of sufficient public transport.
“The Central Government had slashed the rate of petrol and diesel by Rs 2.50 per litre each on September 4. We urge the Delhi Government to reduce VAT on fuel both petrol and diesel in the national Capital and bring the fuel prices down,” said VK Arora, convener, Delhi Residents Forum.
This was followed by reduction of VAT by various States, including neighbouring Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, bringing relief to their residents.
With the festival season on, secretary of Mahila Pragatisheel Association (MPA) Ritu Bhatia said the residents are being forced to use private vehicles in the Capital due to lack of affordable and efficient public transport.
“We urge the Delhi Government to immediately reduce VAT on fuel and even lower than the neighbouring States bring immediate relief of already burdened residents especially during the festival season as most of us travel more than normal days during coming festivals days,” Bhatia said.
Manish Chawla another resident from Anand Vihar said, “This is resulting in loss of exchequer to the Delhi Government which has VAT of 27 per cent on petrol and 16.75 per cent on diesel as most of Delhiites daily travel to the neighbouring cities of Gurugram, Noida and Faridabad, for work as most of the offices are located in these cities and get their fuel tanks filled there.”
“As winters are approaching use of BS IV in capital is also leading to more pollution in Capital coupled with burning of crops in enamoring States leading to health issues,” added VN Bali, president, RWA Federation, East Delhi.