Slamming the BJP-led state government for levying an additional tax of Rs 2 per litre on fuel, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) today announced a two-day statewide protest against the move from October 5.
Addressing a press conference, MPCC President Ashok Chavan said protests and demonstrations will be held at taluka and district levels to create awareness among people on how the government's move is "ill-conceived".
"We demand that the government withdraws the hike and utilises the funds earmarked for celebrating its first year in office for welfare of farmers," Chavan said.
The former Chief Minister rebuked the government for justifying the fuel price hike to the fiscal burden due to the various welfare measures it had taken.
"There is not a single decision taken for welfare of people. Instead, there have been budgetary cuts on various schemes related to Social Justice Department. There have been about 2,000 farmers' suicides in the last one year," Chavan said.
He said there is no fiscal discipline and after implementing poll promises like toll-free and LBT-free Maharashtra, the burden on the state's finances is showing.
NCP spokesman Nawab Malik also hit out at the government for the hike saying that citizens, who did not have to pay toll or LBT, will also have to bear the burden of paying Rs 2 per litre on petrol and diesel.
"The government is unfit to do fiscal planning. Due to its ill-advised populist measures like scrapping toll and Local Body Tax (LBT), there is financial burden on the state exchequer and fiscal deficit would be around Rs 7,000 crore," he said.
Malik said when the BJP was in opposition, it had coined a word "tax terrorism". "Now in power, the party is indulging in the same," he charged.
The NCP leader alleged BJP is not concerned about the welfare of farmers, but only traders and money lenders.
In its efforts to raise more funds for tackling drought in the state, the state government yesterday decided to levy a surcharge of Rs 2 on petrol and diesel while VAT on liquor, cigarettes and beverages have also been raised by 5 per cent.
