DHIRAJ HARMALKAR
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
VASCO: The residents of Mormugao taluka have complained of finding it difficult to shoulder the additional burden of inflation due to the constant hike in petrol, diesel and LPG prices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They said the BJP government went gaga over the “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas”, with regards to achieving overall development with everyone’s support. But this slogan has only proved to be just a lip service.
“If we keep aside the mega projects and some welfare schemes, the people are literally finding it difficult during the pandemic to survive and manage their homes with limited income and unemployment and now due to the continuous hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders”, they said.
At present, the petrol prices have crossed over Rs 100 per litre and soon diesel may touch Rs 100 which is now priced at Rs 98 per litre. The LPG cylinder, which cost around Rs 700 a few months ago, has now crossed Rs 900. It might even cross Rs 1,000-mark after the elections.
The residents of Mormugao taluka said they were unhappy and disappointed with the inflation, wherein they complained of struggling to survive as the government failed to control inflation.
Bharat Kamat, a Vasco resident said, “The situation is ironic, if we look at the hike in the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders, the common man is definitely facing the brunt. The people may express their views on inflation, but does it really impact the government? Despite the hike in fuel prices, people continue to vote them to power.”
Puja Patil from Dabolim said, “The fuel price hike will have an adverse impact on all sections of the society especially the common man. I feel there needs to be some control over the fuel prices. The common man is suffering to manage with the limited income.”
Ella Mascarenhas from Cansaulim said, “Achhe Din are distant dream for the common man, who is combating the inflation like never before. The housewives are somehow managing with this inflation. The hike in petrol, LPG cylinder and diesel prices has affected the businessmen, employees and housewives. People are not at all happy with the present government.”
Seema Behare, a social worker, said, “The question is, is this the right time to hike fuel prices? Will it not adversely affect the common man, who is somehow trying to cope up with the pandemic? This government move is not in people’s favour.”
Meanwhile, the All Goa Petrol Pump Owners Dealers Association president Paresh Joshi said in the near future petrol prices will continue to soar, which are related to increase in the exchange rate of dollar and increase in the crude oil prices. Petrol has not been brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) but is under Value-Added Tax (VAT). So when the petrol is under VAT, then there is enough room to reduce the prices which includes excise and customs duty.
He said, “Considering the recent government reforms, the duties on VAT, are important to the government. Additional revenue, which the government wants to recover through the duties on the cigarette, alcohol and petrol, becomes important to fill up the deficit which the government has invested to bring reforms and development.”
