BJP begins 12-hour stir in Odisha against VAT hike on petrol, diesel

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 26:

The BJP today began its 12-hour statewide demonstration in Odisha in protest against the decision of the state government to impose value added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel.

Reports reaching from the districts said the party workers staged demonstrations in the district headquarters.

“While the Centre has brought down the price of petrol and diesel, the Odisha government has raised the price by imposing VAT. The state government which had earlier blamed the Centre for raising the fuel price, has decided to raise the price. Our party has come to the street demanding immediate withdrawal of VAT from petrol and diesel”, said party’s state unit president KV Singhdeo.

However, the ruling Biju Janata Dal has refuted the charges of the BJP.

“While price of petro and diesel in the international market has come down, the Centre has increased the price by imposing and collecting Excise Duty from them. Apart from this, the Odisha government, as compared to other states has imposed lowest VAT on petrol and diesel”, said BJD spokesperson Pratap Jena.

He said while the BJP government Madhya Pradesh has imposed 28 percent VAT on petrol and diesel, the Odisha government has imposed only 3 percent VAT.

“Let the state BJP give a clarification in this regard,” Jena said.