SAD protests against "high" taxes on fuel by Punjab govt

Opposition Shiromani Akali Dal today held state-wide protest dharnas against the "high" rate of taxes on petrol and diesel in Punjab.

The protests were held at the district headquarters in Ludhiana, Tarn Taran, Rupnagar, Mansa, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Ferozepur, Amritsar and other cities with SAD members submitting memoranda to the representatives of administration, demanding lowering of taxes on fuel in order to give relief to consumers.

SAD spokesman and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema said protests were led by the members of the core committee of the party and workers in large numbers participated.

He said people were being forced to pay through their nose on petrol and diesel because of heavy taxes.

Cheema said the Punjab government had imposed 35.14 per cent of taxes on petrol and 17.34 per cent on diesel.

"In Chandigarh, the VAT on petrol was 19.76 per cent and similarly, lower rate of VAT is charged on diesel. People in Punjab should be given relief by bringing the rate of taxes on fuel on par with Chandigarh," he said.

Cheema said the Center had asked the state to reduce to VAT on petroleum products but the Congress government in Punjab was not ready to give relief to people.

The Akali Dal also sought that state government should give recommendation of bringing petroleum products under the GST regime to the GST council.