There seems to be no unanimity among leaders of the state BJP on whether the state government should reduce the cess on petroleum product to give marginal relief to consumers who pay the highest price for petrol in the country. While BJP spokesperson C.T. Ravi urged the government to emulate neighbouring Goa and reduce the cess on petrol, home and transport minister R. Ashok felt the Centre should adopt a uniform supply price for petroleum products for all states which would reduce the differential.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Mr Ravi said the price hike is the biggest in recent years and would have an adverse impact on the nation’s economy. While stating that the BJP would resort to to a state-wide agitation against the hike, Mr Ravi said the party will also urge Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda to reduce the cess on petrol. “I tried to contact the CM but he is busy at the BJP national executive in Mumbai. The BJP has decided to urge the CM to emulate neighbouring Goa and reduce the cess on petrol. We expect the state government to give relief to consumers to the extent of Rs 2-3 per litre,’’ he said.
Home and transport minister R. Ashok said the Centre had adopted a biased policy while supplying petroleum products to Karnataka. “We are paying the highest price for petrol supplied by oil companies than any other state. We have written many letters to oil companies and also taken a delegation to the Prime Minister to correct the anomaly. However, the Centre has not taken any initiative to rectify the problem,’’ he said.
“If the Centre agrees to supply us petroleum products on par with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Goa, it will automatically led to a reduction in the prices of petrol in Karnataka. Besides, the cess is charged on percentage basis. If the petrol price comes down, even the cess will drop. Consumers in the state will be doubly benefited,’’ he added. Mr Ashok felt the countrywide agitation against the hike has shaken the UPA government and expressed the hope that the Centre will not hike the prices of diesel and cooking gas too. “If they hike the prices of diesel, it will hit the common man hard,’’ he added.