Bhubaneswar: Continuing its attack on the Centre over steep rise in fuel prices, ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) staged a protest in front of the Raj Bhawan here, Monday.
The party’s women activists, student and youth wings took out a rally before the demonstration demanding immediate rollback of the prices as the common man has to bear the brunt. Later, the party leaders submitted a memorandum to the Governor addressed to the President of India.
“Day by day the price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas is touching new heights. This puts a lot of burden on common people and it would eventually lead to increased prices of all necessary commodities. Therefore, the fuel prices should be slashed immediately,” BJD leader Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said.
“We have apprised the Governor about the fuel price hike. This is a decisive fight and if prices are not brought under control, we will stage dharna in 314 blocks and intensify our agitation,” said another BJD leader Sanjay Das Burma after meeting the Governor.
Stating Odisha is the only state which is collecting less value added tax (VAT) on fuel, he added the Centre is imposing high excise duty on the fuel despite the fact that prices are low in international market.
“It clearly highlights that there has not been a resultant reduction in prices of petrol and diesel as the Centre hasn’t reduced the excise duty on petrol and diesel which could benefit the common people,” the BJD said in its memorandum.
The party has also alleged about a scam in Ujjwala scheme in its memorandum presented to the President.
“It is learnt that the petroleum ministry is boasting that 30 lakh gas connections under Ujjwala have been given to beneficiaries, of which 24 lakh cylinders have not been refilled for the second time. Now doubt arises whether 24 lakh beneficiaries exist or not. So it has become apparent that a huge scam is underway in Ujjwala scheme by enlisting ghost beneficiaries,” the party said.
Admitting fuel price hike is affecting the common man a lot, BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said the BJD government should cut down VAT on the fuel.
“The Centre has already asked the state governments to cooperate and reduce VAT on fuel. Despite the fact that Odisha is earning Rs 7,000 crore on account of VAT, why the BJD government is not cutting the tax?” he asked.
The BJP leader also alleged that the BJD only wants to target Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with political motives and their (BJD’) intentions are not meant for the well being of people.
September 7, the ruling BJD launched a three-day state-wide agitation protesting against the spiralling fuel prices. Party members across the state staged peaceful demonstrations before petrol pumps in their respective areas for two hours from 10 am to 12 pm.