Amarinder ridicules SAD for defending diesel price hike - Says transportation cost will increase, which will burden the common man

Monday, 06/10/2014

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141006/punjab.htm#4

Amritsar : Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh today lashed out at the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for its defence of the hike in VAT on diesel in the state.

In a statement, Capt Amarinder said the transportation cost would increase, which would burden the common man.

“Given the extensive fleet of buses the Badals are operating, they must be having a better idea as to what the hike means for the common man and the ordinary commuters,” he said, seeking immediate reversal of the hike. The Amritsar MP said the farmers in Punjab should have got some relief as they had to use generators for operating tube-wells due to poor monsoon coupled with lack of power.

“After the hike, the input costs of farming will further increase. Despite this, the Akalis have been trying to make us believe that the decision will benefit the farmers. In fact, the farming community will be the worst hit,” he said.

The former Chief Minister said the diesel prices should actually have been reduced by the NDA Government as the crude oil prices had come down in the international market. He expressed surprise as to why the Union Government was not passing on the benefit of the reduction in crude oil prices to the consumers.

“While the NDA Government is shying away from slashing fuel prices, the Akalis have instead slapped a hike in Punjab. When you can pass on the burden of hike to consumers, you must also pass on the benefit of reduced prices,” he pointed out.

IGNITING A CONTROVERSY
Maheshinder Singh Grewal, SAD general secretary, had on Saturday said the rate of diesel in Punjab was among the lowest in the country. He had claimed it was appropriate for the government to increase VAT by 1 per cent keeping in view the state's agrarian economy. The SAD had justified the state government's move to increase VAT on diesel, cold drinks and cigarettes to mobilise funds for development.

58 paise increase
The hike in value added tax (VAT) by the state government has left diesel dearer by 58 paise in Punjab. It now costs Rs 57.93 in the state, higher than Rs 57.35 in Haryana but cheaper than Rs 60.04 in Chandigarh.

Given the extensive fleet of buses the Badals are operating, they must be having a better idea as to what the hike means for the common man and the ordinary commuters-—Capt Amarinder Singh, Amritsar MP