MOHALI: Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, member of Parliament from Sri
Anandpur Sahib on Tuesday while addressing a protest rally against the rising oil prices said that Punjab is facing the maximum brunt of the hike in prices as the surcharge on petrol and diesel is highest among all states.
The leadership of
Shiromani Akali Dal was present at Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib in Mohali. Taking a jibe at Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government, he said it should reduce the burden by reducing VAT and surcharge on fuel by 50%.
"As a result, the petrol and diesel prices will be cut by Rs 10 and Rs 5 respectively. Furthermore, an amount of Rs 2,500 crore, be reduced from annual state VAT and surcharge earnings on oil of Rs 5,000 crore. The central government reduced excise duty by Rs 2 per litre 6 months ago. In response, the neighbouring states reduced 5% state taxes. But, Amarinder government did not provide any relief to the people," he added.
He said that instead of doing dramatics on oil cost in state, state Congress president Sunil Jakhar should advice
finance minister and chief minister to curb irrational 50 percent taxes and surcharge on fuel.
"If Punjab government reduces state taxes, I will pressurise Central government to reduce excise duty further. The rise in fuel prices affects all. For instance, to make agriculture profitable, it is imperative to stabilise oil prices. The rise in cost of transportation has a cascading effect on inflation. The students and servicemen also suffer since they have to commute daily," Chandumajra elaborated.
SAD activists, in the leadership of Chandumajra, presented a memorandum to deputy commissioner of Mohali asking Punjab government to cut down taxes on fuel bringing it in ambit of GST council for exemption.
Representative image