Bharat Bandh on May 31st has been further fuelled in National Capital after Congress led Government increased the cost of CNG by applying five per cent VAT. BJP has said it would stage protest demonstrations at more than 100 places across the national capital during the May 31 ‘Bharat Bandh’.
“We would observe a complete Delhi Bandh on May 31 as a part of Bharat Bandh. We appeal the people to participate in the bandh and not to go to their workplace on that day,” BJP Delhi unit chief Vijender Gupta told reporters here.
He claimed that a large number of business establishments have extended their support to the BJP for ‘Bharat Bandh’ in protest against the recent hike in petrol prices by Rs 7.50 per litre. Mr Gupta added that several unions of taxi-auto rickshaw drivers have also come in the support of the Bandh in protest against hike in petrol and CNG prices.
He said yesterday Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, while presenting the Budget, announced five per cent VAT on CNG in transport sector which will take the CNG price at more than Rs 37 a kg. “This move will discourage the people from using the green fuel CNG,” he claimed.
The BJP demanded that the proposed five per cent VAT on CNG be taken back immediately. Mr Gupta informed that more than 50,000 BJP activists will take to the streets on May 31 and observe ‘chakka jam’ and protests at more than 100 places including Delhi Metro stations.
He slammed the Delhi government for slashing the petrol prices by just Rs 1.26 a litre. In a marginal relief to the people of Delhi, the Chief Minister decided not to charge 20 per cent VAT on the increased price of petrol, making it cheaper by Rs 1.26 a litre.
After the VAT reduction, petrol in Delhi will be priced at Rs 71.93. The reduced price of petrol will come into effect from June 1. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the VAT on CNG will further increase the prices of essentials.
“We demand the rollback of VAT on CNG and also abolition of tax on petrol,” he added. Mr Gupta termed the Budget as ‘anti-people’ as the government, for the first time, has imposed tax on clothes.