Chandigarh, June 7:It is strange paradox that in all matters SAD Badal a constituent of the NDA, follows the political guide lines of the BJP, leading partner of the NDA, but failed to honour the BJP directive in Punjab, issued by its president Sh. Raj Nath Singh to reduce the sale tax on Petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders in BJP ruled States.
The statement made by BJP senior minister Mr. Mnoranjan Kalia in this context sounds ridiculous and absurd. It is also in contravention of the directive issued by the BJP central leadership to BJP ruled States to give relief in sale tax on petroleum products. BJP in Punjab is not only the alliance partner of the government runs by Akali BJP combine, headed by S. Parkash Singh Badal, rather it is surviving only with their support, therefore Punjab State is equally ruled by BJP.
They owe an explanation to the people of Punjab, as to why the directive of the BJP is not applicable on them in Punjab. Why and under what compulsion Akali/BJP ruling alliance has denied relief to the people of Punjab by not reducing sale tax on petrol and diesel. More over there is no point joining illogical anti-congress rhetoric by the BJP when the BJP led NDA Government at the Centre has failed to fix the oil pricing mechanism when oil prices were really low in the international market during their times. They even failed to evolve minimally coherent forward looking energy strategy in their four years rule. Prime Minister Dr.. Mamohan Singh deserves appreciation for honestly addressing the issue and has called for better demand management on the energy side by taking the entire Nation in to confidence.
It is pertinent to mention here that all congress ruled States have reduced sale tax on petrol, diesel and LPG Cylinders as asked by the Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi, thereby giving substantial relief to the consumers. Punjab government has failed miserably to appreciate the Global compulsions under which prices of Petrol and Diesel has to be hiked. S. Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister Punjab and SAD Leadership need to have a clear-headed understanding of the concept of Globalisation, than only they would be able to visualise the importance of the Global economy and its compulsion in the Indian perspective. And related to that understanding they need to determine their priorities. The current public interest demands that they should immediately fall in line with the logical public voice and provide substantial relief to the people of Punjab particularly to the farmers by immediately reducing the sale tax on petrol and diesel ,as all the Congress ruled States have done realising the impact of the unavoidable hike in the fuel prices.