PANJIM: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has lashed out at the BJP-led Central government for increasing excise duty on fuel.
Addressing a joint press conference at its party head office, GPCC president Girish Chodankar and Media Cell Convener Trajano D’Mello have demanded that the benefit of international crude oil prices be forwarded to the people and that rates of petrol, diesel and LPG be reduced by 35-40 percent.
“We condemn the increase of the excise duty on petrol and diesel to garner an estimate of Rs 40,000 crore. In addition, Re 1 per litre on petrol and diesel has been increased on road cess. The strategies of the BJP have always been first to get the common man used to the pin pricks and then in due course of time pierce them. This is very clear of the high inflation in all commodities,” the party leaders said.
They charged the BJP government with implementing anti-people policies citing that increase of excise duty by the Narendra Modi-led government has been more than a dozen times since it has come to power. “The prices have gone up by 150 percent on petrol and over 400 percent on diesel since 2014. It has been the major cause of hike in various transportation costs resulting in high inflation. We demand that the benefit of international crude oil prices be forwarded to the people and the rates of petrol, diesel and LPG be reduced by 35-40 percent,” D’Mello said.
Reacting to the current scenario in the State, Chodankar slammed Sawant for issuing directions to the district magistrates disallowing public meetings for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat polls. “It is beyond his powers and illegal but CM has issued the direction. The District Magistrates should not implement. We oppose this direction and will complain to the State Election Commission,” he said.
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