Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and activists demanding a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel staged protests and courted arrest across Chhattisgarh on Saturday.
BJP state President Vishnudeo Sai said at a protest at Shastri Chowk here that the Central government on November 3 reduced the excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 10 respectively.
Punjab and few other states have announced reduction on the appeal of the central government. But the Congress government in Chhattisgarh is viewing the issue politically instead of extending relief to the common man.
Raipur MP Sunil Soni, Raipur MLA Brijmohan Agrawal and other leaders said in a joint statement that the state government had imposed cess on different products. Relief should be given to the people from these additional burdens.
A BJP rally began at the party office was converted into a sit-in-demonstration at Shastri Chowk, causing a road-blockade. The police arrested the BJP leaders for causing public inconvenience.
Similar protests were held at all district headquarters.