PANJIM: It’s almost a week since petrol prices in Goa have touched Rs 63 a litre, but the promised rebate is nowhere in sight.
While presenting the 2015-16 Budget, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had hiked the (Value Added Tax) VAT on petrol from 10 percent to 15 percent. Later, speaking to the media he had said, “We will reduce VAT if petrol price crosses Rs 60 per litre.”
But now, a week since the price of petrol crossed the Rs 60 figure, the Laxmikant Parsekar-led government is yet to slash the VAT. Parsekar is currently holidaying with his family.
While increasing the VAT on petrol, Parsekar had clarified that the price is the lowest among all the States and said that the amount collected would be utilized for implementation of the increased number of infrastructure schemes.
“However, let me assure this House that in the event there is a drastic increase of petrol price, the decision will be reviewed accordingly, keeping the spirit of our assurance given to the people of Goa in our election manifesto of 2012,” the Chief Minister had said.
The Central government on May 16 had hiked the price of petrol by Rs 3.13 per litre, with prices in Goa going up to Rs 63 per litre.
Interestingly, the administration is unaware about government’s assurance to slash VAT on petrol. “We have no idea about any such assurance or promise by the Chief Minister,” a senior bureaucrat said.
In the campaign for the 2012 Assembly elections, the BJP had promised to slash the price of petrol by Rs 11, making the fuel the cheapest in any State in India. VAT on petrol was subsequently brought down to zero percent.
The closure of the mining industry, which resulted in revenue loss forced the government to increase the VAT on petrol from zero to three percent in 2013. Then in December 2014, the government had hiked the VAT on petrol from 3 percent to 10 percent. Under Parsekar, the price of petrol was hiked twice.
Meanwhile, Ponda Vikas Samithi president Ram Kunkolekar and secretary Milind Madgut reminded Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar of his recent promise to Goans that in any case, he would not allow a further hike in petrol and diesel prices in the State.
According to Kunkolekar, the Chief Minister had assured to scrap the 5 per cent VAT immediately if the petrol rates go above 60.
Now, over four days have passed since the petrol prices in the State have been hiked to Rs 63.50 per litre following the recent hike in fuel rates by Central Government.
Instead, the Chief Minister has forgotten his promise and is on a holiday tour while the people are suffering due to the hike. Kunkolekar and Madgut demanded that Chief Minister should reduce the VAT immediately.
