Transporters oppose diesel price hike, demand excise duty cut

Coming out strongly against the hike in diesel and petrol prices, transporters in the national capital today said the government has not allowed the benefit of lower crude prices to pass on to them.
While demanding a reduction in excise duty, they said the increase in the prices of diesel has hit the transporters hard and made it it difficult for them to earn their livelihood amid slump in the market.
"The transport fraternity very strongly protests and condemns the government's dubious move in allowing the Indian Oil Corporation to announce hikes in transport fuel... Citing no reasons for the hike," the Delhi Transporters Association said in a statement.

The combined hike in diesel price in a fortnight amounts to Rs 4.20 paise per litre.
It said despite steep global fall in the prices of crude, the government has never been in mood to pass on the benefits to transporters in particular and the general public at large.
The government has always absorbed the "benefit by manipulating and increasing the excise duty per litre from the same date thus nullifying the chances of reduction in the price of diesel and petrol, the transporters' body said.
"During November 2015 to January 2016, excise duty has been increased 5 times and by doing so the government has earned extra revenue to the tune of Rs 17,000 crore. At present, the excise duty on diesel is Rs 6.87 per litre," the statement said.

"This primary and biggest association of transporters of Delhi and NCR, therefore, deeply resent and protest" the hike, the Association said demanding government intervention in reducing excise duty to offset the burden on them.