(Image source from: DailyO)

Opposition DMK Slams Taxation On Petrol, Diesel In TN:- The “oppressive taxation” on petrol and diesel was slammed by the opposition DMK on Wednesday. It further urged the Tamil Nadu government to reduce taxes on these products to benefit the common man.

The Chief Minister K Palaniswami, was asked by DMK Working President and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, M K Stalin, to take a cue from Gujarat and Maharashtra in this regard.

The Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, was reduced by the two BJP-ruled states on Tuesday, resulting in them getting cheaper. After Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had recently written to states asking them to reduce taxes on these, they had effected the changes. Recently, the excise duty on petrol and diesel was brought down by the Centre, by Rs 2 per litre.

Stalin recalled that in the past, during certain rate revisions of the products, the M Karunanidhi-led DMK government had in the past reduced taxes on petrol and diesel in the state.

“People are struggling hard due to the oppressive taxation on petrol and diesel which has led to prices of petrol to hover around Rs 70.96 and diesel at Rs 60.04 (in Chennai),” he said.

“It was the government’s duty to “ease this pain” which people faced”, he added.

“Hence, I insist this (AIAMDK) government to follow the actions initiated by Gujarat and Maharashtra and transfer the benefit to people by reducing the taxes,” Stalin said.

Stalin further added that the daily revision of prices of petrol and diesel has proved to be a huge burden, especially for the poor and middle class sections of the population, due to the “central BJP government’s dynamic pricing policy.

SUPRAJA