By: Vijay Kumar Verma, Editor-ICN Group
“Petrol hits record high” has become the most common headline in the media these days. Every day newspapers and channels bring about comparative details and the resultant woes of the masses but that has least impact on the shamelwss governments.
Each and every increase in the international basic crude price brings a beam of gleam on the tax grabbing governments. Since it not only adds to the motor spirit prices but also brings with it a bonanza for the central government as well the state governments.
Going by the stats, during 2017-18, the Oil PSUs made a turnover of more than Rs 2 lac crore from sale of motor spirit. The sales turnover of private RIL was still higher. And during the first quarter of the current financial year, the average turnover has still shown a marked improvement. Now one does not need a gimmick to calculate the amount of taxes being garnered by the governments.
Not only from Excise duty and taxes, the central government also has a potential earning from Dividends being paid by the Oil PSUs.
The meek and practicality non existent opposition in the Parliament has not only made the ruling party stubborn and bold but also worsened the situation for the masses. Not only the centre but the state governments are making a fast buck and rejoicing over the plight of sufferers.
If not the ruling central government, the state governments, who are in the opposition in Parliament could have offered a cut in taxes in their respective states atleast.
At Rs.86.59 a litre in Punjab, the petrol price is among the highest in India. And the state government is least concerned about the prevailing petrol prices in neighbouring Chandigarh at Rs.77.37 and Haryana at Rs.80.90 driving many people residing in peripherals to Chandigarh to save money. This may also be harming the interests of petrol pump operators in these border towns.
It was found that the shameless Congress ruled Punjab government too was abating the Bharat Band on 10th September while it has failed to take any measures to control the fuel prices at their own end.
It was a welcome move by the Rajasthan and Andhra governments to have rolled back Rs.2 per litre on petrol, but a silimar action by other stares is still awaited.
Till the historic decision to bring petrol under GST, the state governments could have capped any further increase in their own taxes, fixing it in monetary terms rather than on percent terms.
And Punjab, under the congress rule which cries foul in national level protests, could have brought about about a parity in rates with neighbouring states. The public is practically being cheated by all the political parties they have brought to power.
Is the shameless situation here to continue.
