The ruling BJD on Tuesday announced that it will launch a statewide protest on 7 April in front of all…
BJD leaders announce statewide protests at all fuel filling stations. (Photo: SNS)
The ruling BJD on Tuesday announced that it will launch a statewide protest on 7 April in front of all fuel filling stations sensitising people against the hike in oil prices and wasteful expenditure of Oil PSU for furthering the image and prospects of the BJP.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, BJD leaders S D Burma, Arun Sahu and others condemned the BJP government at the centre for the rise in fuel prices which, they said, was totally unjustified.
The prices were not so high even when crude was as high as $130 to the barrel, they pointed out. Oil price hike is bound to have an adverse impact on several sectors like transport, foodstuff etc, they decried.
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The BJD leaders further said the production tax imposed by the Union government on petrol increased in July 2014 from Rs 9.20 per litre to Rs Rs 19.48 in February 2018 an increase by around 200 per cent was observed.
Similarly, the tax imposed on diesel during the period was enhanced from Rs 3.46 to Rs 15.33 (a hike of more than 500 per cent). The BJD leaders alleged that in 2015 when the crude oil price in the international market was at all-time low, the BJP led government had not passed on the benefit to the consumers.
But now when the oil prices in the international market has increased, the centre is transferring the burden on consumers.
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