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Punjab

Sukhpal Khaira demands to roll back undue hike in excise duty on Petrol, Diesel

July 06, 2019 06:28 PM

CHANDIGARH: Sukhpal Singh Khaira President of Punjab Ekta Party today flayed the decision of Union Government to impose additional 2 percent excise duty on Petrol and Diesel in the budget for 2019-20 presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Khaira in a statement said that proposal of hike in excise duty on Petro products is in shark contradiction of BJP government’s resolve to bring down inflation and cost cutting of agriculture inputs. He said that the hike in diesel rates would put additional burden on the farmers who are dependent on diesel for irrigating crops in the absence of adequate power supply. He belied the claims of Prime Minister Narender Modi that his government’s budget is pro-farmer.

Khaira said that the things would lead to worst situation in Punjab where farmers are reeling under heavy debt and committing suicides. Punjab government was charging highest VAT of about 28 percent on Petrol and Diesel among all the states in India. He said that if Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has any concern for the farmers, his government shall absorb the hike in central excise duty.

Khaira further said that at international level the crude oil prices were falling and Indian Government was increasing the duties to fill its coffers. According to a report in media on July 5, crude oil price has witnessed a  sharp decline of $9-a-barrel in global oil prices.  Crude oil tumbled below $61 a barrel on July 4 from a tad above $70 on Thursday, May 28.(Economic Times July 5, 2019).

Khaira said that people of country were expecting that center would reduce the burden on citizens but unfortunately Modi government is pushing India towards bankruptcy and poverty. He said that with the rise in rates of Petrol and diesel, the inflation will go up and all essential commodities would be available at high cost to the people.

 Khaira said that there was no mention of any special economic package to Punjab. He sought an explanation from Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and his MP husband Sukhbir Singh Badal for not opposing hike in Petrol and diesel prices and failing to raise demand for special package. Even on the issue of low MSP of Wheat, the Badal couple maintained a silence.

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