By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With the steepest ever hike in price of petrol by Rs 7.54 and growing fears over possibilities of rise in prices of essential commodities in the State, the UDP has decided to write to the State Government to impress upon the Central Government the need to roll back the price of petrol.
“This the fourth time in the past one year when the fuel prices have increased,” UDP spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh told reporters after a party meeting here on Thursday.
According to Lyngdoh, the hike in the fuel price is going to have an adverse impact on states like Meghalaya which is totally dependent on roads for transportation of goods.
“We are really concerned since it is the common citizens of the State who would be facing the brunt due to the rise in the prices of essential commodities which has resulted or would result on account of the rise in the fuel prices,” the UDP leader said while adding that the hike would also incapacitate a large number of (Contd on P-10)
Govt should urge Centre…
(Contd from P-1) the economically weaker section of the society which forms a large component of the State’s population.
He said that the UDP would like the State Government to take up the matter with the Centre for immediate redressal of the problem.
The UDP leader also raised concerns over official statistics which indicates that Meghalaya has witnessed the highest rise in price of essential commodities anywhere in the country in the last one year.
As per the official statistics, the prices of consumer goods shot up by a whopping 17.2 per cent in Meghalaya between April 2011 and March 2012 whereas the national average for the same period was only 10.4 per cent.
Reduce sales tax on petrol: NYC
In the wake of a massive hike in petrol prices in the country, the National Youth Congress (NYC) has asked the State Government to take measures to ensure that hike in fuel price does not affect the common man.
Talking to media persons here on Thursday, NYC president Aldo A Sangma said, “The State Government must reduce sales tax on petrol to rescue the common man.”
The hike in petrol prices would also led to the price rise of essential commodities in the State, Sangma said, adding the Government should find alternative ways of drawing taxes from the corporate houses.
