Team Herald
PANJIM: The BJP Goa on Saturday said that the Union and BJP-ruled Goa government has reduced excise duty on fuel prices despite the Centre incurring huge expenditure on free vaccination drive across the country.
“It would be awkward for us to answer when media asked questions (about fuel hike). Today, we congratulate the government for taking this step to bring relief to the people. The vaccination (drive pan-India) cost crores of rupees…Despite this, the Centre has borne a loss of Rs 1.80 lakh crore…” BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade stated at a press conference in the party’s head office, on Saturday.
The BJP also reminded the State that though government’s income dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic and expenses increased, it took a great deal of money to develop the vaccine and vaccinate every citizen free of cost.
“Despite the rising cost, I congratulate the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Cabinet to lower the fuel rates… Also, more than 100 crore people are vaccinated with first dose in the country so far,” Tanavade added.
Tanavade said that the price of fuel could drop even further depending on the situation internationally.
Meanwhile, lauding the Centre’s decision to slash fuel prices, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant responded to claims that only BJP-ruled States were further reducing fuel prices.
He was quoted as saying by a news agency, “Don’t ask me that. Ask those who have come here for political tourism when they will do it in their state.”
The government is however upset with the media for failing to have acknowledged the drop in fuel rates by speaking about loss faced by petrol pump operators instead
Meanwhile, nine members including two ministers from Goa will attend the National Executive Committee meeting to be held via video conferencing on Sunday.
The nine members including special invitees Mauvin Godiinho and Vishwajit Rane will attend the meet from Goa wherein election strategies and readiness of the party in five poll-bound States will be discussed.
