The Delhi government on Tuesday refused to reduce the value added tax (VAT) from the prices of petrol and diesel. Commenting on the development, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the state government is already running in loss.
“The states had put their faith in Centre over GST implementation, hoping that the Modi govt would take care of states' interests. But, now when the Centre says it has hiked prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 10, the profit is pocketed by the Centre, however if it reduces the rates by Rs 1.5, states are expected to cut down price by Rs 2.5," he said.
The deputy chief minister added that states which are already reeling under the losses cannot be expected to bear the burden of extra Rs 2.5/ltre cuts.
Protesting the Delhi government’s move, Union Minister Vijay Goel rode a cycle in Delhi's Paharganj area on Tuesday.
Goel claimed that the Kejriwal-led government was not paying heed to people suffering due to rising fuel prices.
"It's not a symbolic agitation, it will go on till the Arvind Kejriwal government slashes VAT on petrol and diesel," he said.
The minister further said the Modi government is sensitive towards the problems being faced by the people due to rising prices of petrol and diesel and reduced Rs 2.5 on it.
Now it is Kejriwal’s turn to do the same and reduce the prices by at least Rs 5, the minister said.
Goel said the water and power bills in Delhi are also on a high and it is also part of the agitation.
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