Rasta roko on June 9 against fuel price hike in Vijayawada
VIJAYAWADA: A round table meeting organised by the left parties and civil society organisations in the city on Sunday decided to stage a ‘rasta roko’ across the State on June 9, demanding that the State and Central governments reduce the taxes levied on petroleum products and slash LPG price.
Addressing the gathering, CPM State secretary P Madhu said the BJP-led NDA government had increased the tax on petrol by 105 per cent and on diesel by 355 per cent since it came to power in 2014. In the last eleven months, petrol price was increased by Rs 12.50 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 15.27. The Centre has been charging Rs 19.48 (excise duty +road cess) on petrol and Rs 15.33 on diesel.
The CPM leader pointed out that recently the Kerala government had slashed Rs 1 on petroleum products to protect the interests of public. At the same time, the Centre has slashed a paise on the same, which shows its commitment towards public. At least now, the Union government should slash the tax burden on fuel to provide respite for the public, he demanded.
Speaking on the occasion, Petroleum and Diesel Dealers Association State general secretary M Narayana Prasad took a dig at the State government for charging Rs 4 per litre as additional VAT along with Rs 18.70 (31 per cent VAT) on petrol and RS 13.09 (22.25 per cent VAT) on diesel.
Over 55,000 petroleum and diesel dealers were suffering due to the policies of the government, he said and demanded that the government slash taxes immediately. CPI assistant state secretary Muppalla Nageswara Rao, former MLC Jalli Wilson, CPM state leader Y Koteswara Rao, Chigurupati Baburao, Taxpayers Association secretary M V Anjaneyulu and social activist Anumolu Gandhi spoke.