CHANDIGARH, May 22: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today asked the Akali-BJP government in the state as why was it that petrol was costliest in Punjab as compared to rest of the country. He asked the government to reduce the VAT on petrol in the state so that the prices could come down, at least at a par with other neighbouring states.In a statement issued here today, Capt Amarinder Singh pointed out, the Akali-BJP government has imposed a total of 32.75 per cent taxes on petrol which was highest in the country as no other state imposes so much tax on petrol and which makes it costliest in India.
He said, compared to that Haryana has 20.5 per cent, Himachal Pradesh 24 per cent and Chandigarh 22 per cent taxes only. Giving the break up he said, Punjab charges 27.5 per cent VAT, ten per cent surcharge on VAT, Re 1 per litre infrastructure development cess and 1.5 per cent octroi.
The former Chief Minister said, instead of crying hoarse and blaming the government of India for increase in the prices, the state government should reduce the taxes and provide relief to the people. “They can bring it at a par with other states at least”, he observed.
He said, the petroleum prices are determined by the trends in the international market. But the state governments, if they want, can certainly provide relief to the people by lowering the local taxes. He said, during his tenure he had ensured that no extra taxes were imposed on petrol so that the consumers do not get overburdened.
Capt Amarinder said, the state government was claiming to have collected good amount of VAT without telling people that it had actually imposed unjust and arbitrary tax on petrol. “You are robbing the common man to show improved financial statistics”, he told the government.