Saturday, 12 June 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
The Bharatiya Janata Party state president Madan Kaushik said that the Congress and opposition parties protesting against rise in price of petrol and diesel is akin to purposely averting eyes from the facts. He said that the price dynamics of crude oil in the international market has clearly affected the domestic market in India. It is a known fact that India imports 80 per cent of its requirements. The price rise effect is faced by the consumer for some time but instead of raising hue and cry over it, the Congress should reduce VAT in states with its government in office to provide relief to the public but there is no such example, he said.
Kaushik said that VAT on petrol and diesel is quite high in Congress administered states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Punjab. It is 38 per cent in Rajasthan, upto 42 per cent in Maharashtra and 36 per cent in Punjab. In States with BJP governments the VAT is considerably lower- 27.15 per cent in Uttarakhand and 26.90 per cent in Uttar Pradesh. The leaders who are protesting at petrol pumps have never proposed to their high command about reducing VAT to provide relief to the public. “Instead of serving the public amidst the Covid pandemic, the Congress is viewing this as an opportunity. It is protesting against the price of petrol-diesel but is unconcerned about the problems of the people. The Congress is making news across the nation due to its internal factionalism. In view of the elections, it is trying to divert focus and build an atmosphere with this type of propaganda. The people understand the reality but the Congress leaders in Uttarakhand should also guide their leaders on how to provide relief to the people,” said Kaushik.
