The Congress-led UDF in Kerala has intensified its protest against the “back-breaking” tax proposals, including the cess imposed on petrol and diesel in the state budget for 2023-24.
While four UDF MLAs on Monday launched an indefinite ‘satyagraha’ in front of the Assembly complex in protest against what has been termed the “worst ever budget in Kerala history”, Youth Congress workers marched to the Assembly demanding roll back of the cess imposed on petrol and diesel.
Three Congress MLAs – Mathew Kuzhalnadan, Shafi Parambil and C R Mahesh – along with Indian Union Muslim legislator Najeeb Kanthapuram, launched an indefinite ‘satyagraha’ in front of the Assembly complex against the “anti-people budget” of the LDF Government
Meanwhile, state Finance Minister KN Balagopal defended the tax increase in the budget in the Assembly. He gave an indication that the government had no plans to reconsider any of the new impositions introduced through the budget. “A state government cannot progress saying it will never impose any taxes,” he said.
He said the previous Oommen Chandy-led UDF government had increased the tax on diesel seven times and that on petrol 17 times. They were reduced by the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front government in 2018 and were never hiked since. The UDF is silent on this aspect of the issue, he said.
Announcing the satyagraha of the UDF MLAs, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan alleged that the government’s tax proposals have descended like a thunderbolt on the people of Kerala who have barely recovered from the disastrous floods and other crises in recent years. The Budget was the worst one in the history of the State, he said.
The Youth Congress workers marched to the Assembly demanding rollback of the Rs 2 per litre cess on petrol and diesel imposed in the budget. The protestors set fire to a motorbike in front of the Assembly. They also laid siege to the road in front of the Assembly complex.
Clashes broke out between the Youth Congress workers and the police on Monday during the march. The police used water cannons on the protesters to disperse them. Some youth Congress activists were arrested and removed by the police.
Meanwhile, the Congress has decided to organise demonstrations before the Secretariat and all district Collectorates on Tuesday against the cess imposed on petrol and diesel. On 13th, the UDF will hold a day and night strike in all district centres.