Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Pradipta Naik Wednesday held the state government responsible for the rise in petrol and diesel prices in the state.
The BJP leader accused the state government of extracting higher share of taxes from petrol and diesel despite allegedly having little role in the whole process of petrol and diesel distribution and sales. Naik was responding to the call of the Congress party for Odisha bandh on the issue of petrol, diesel price hike. The leader also said that the Union government has no role in escalating petrol and diesel prices. He said, “The Congress party is free to call for bandh when they are not satisfied with the existing policies and want to protest. But fuel price is not under the control of the government.”
Naik said that it depends on the international market prices. He explained that whenever the crude oil prices go up the prices would rise in the country too.
“In the sale of one litre of petrol, the Centre is taking Rs 13 while the tanker firms take Rs 8. But the state government is taking Rs 26. What is the role of the state in the whole affair and why are they taking a huge cut from the prices?” he asked.
Naik also added, “If the state can cut down the taxes, the rates could go down automatically. The Congress party also should be asked what they did during their regime.”
The Congress has planned to organise Odisha Bandh February 15 to protest against the consistent rise of petrol and diesel prices. The BJD government, however, has been blaming the Centre for the rise in petrol and diesel prices.