In a step focused towards offering relief for a time to the common man from the fuel rate hike, Kerala administration today introduced which it would renounce the extra sales tax purchases of Rs 108 crore generated on petrol sales.
“The current price increase may generate Kerala extra sales tax purchases of Rs 108 crore, which will be waived. It will cause gasoline cost coming down by means of 70 paise in the state,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said when talking to journalists on the side lines of a function at Kozhikode.
He explained he had held discussions along with Finance Minister K M Mani and UDF leaders before taking the decision.
photo credit: neilbetter
Chandy said the UDF government had waived about Rs 400 crore further profits created because of expanding costs of gasoline and diesel after arriving at power four months back.
He said the previous CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front Government had waived sales tax on petrol just once when prices were enhanced Sixteen moments. LDF government had gained supplemental purchases of Rs 600 crore during its tenure, but had not implemented a people-friendly tactic, he was quoted saying.
Chandy also advised the opposition to pull out their continuing agitation in protest about the hike, which saw chaotic protests in the last two days and three government vehicles being torched.
He also motivated the Kerala Motor Vehicle Co-ordination Committee to surrender its 12-hour ‘motor strike’ call on Sept 19.
Chandy had before declared in a democracy people have every single right to demonstration, but that none will be able to take law into their hands and resort to cruaute.
