Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 22: Questioning the imposition of frequent cesses and duties on petrol and diesel in quick succession one after the other, Harsh Dev Singh, Chairman JKNPP and former Minister said that such extortionist moves of the Government had operated very harshly upon the marginalized sections of the society and the lower middle classes.
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“The increase in the costs of petrol and diesel on day to day basis was highly unjustified and atrocious in view of the said prices having already reached their peak and this despite a precipitous fall in the global prices of crude oil the world over. The decline in global prices had not only been neutralized but petrol made further costlier by levying additional taxes and cesses thereby creating nationwide resentment against the BJP led Government. More importantly, the increase in taxation at a time when the people were facing worst economic distress due to Corona pandemic, only revealed the insensitivity of the Government”, said Singh while addressing a press conference here today.
Not only was petrol and diesel being provided at exorbitant rates by the present regime, the prices of other essential commodities like cooking gas and eatables had also sky rocketed during the BJP led Government, maintained Singh.
The vegetables, pulses, foodgrains and other items of day to day use had witnessed steep rise in their prices thus making the life of common man miserable. The rates of cooking gas were increased many times in the past thereby making a mockery of free gas connections scheme launched by the Centre, he added.
Calling for roll back of the increase in petrol and diesel prices, Singh said that increased fuel prices would have a cascading effect on the prices of all other commodities.
Rajesh Padgotra, Provincial President Jammu JKNPP, Surinder Chouhan, District President Jammu Rural JKNPP and Rakesh Verma, senior leader JKNPP were also present in the press conference.