JOIN USOpposition parties on Thursday hit out at the AAP government for increasing the VAT on diesel and petrol and took out a protest march separately against the decision.
While Delhi BJP workers led by state president Satish Upadhyay held a demonstration at ITO where they were stopped by police on their way to Delhi Secretariat, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta on Thursday urged Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to ask Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to roll back the increase in VAT on diesel and petrol.
“It is the betrayal of people’s faith in Kejriwal and Aam Aadami Party. During the budget debate, Dy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia had promised that government will not increase VAT but now the promise has been broken within three weeks of the budget presentation,” Gupta said.
“Kejriwal used to challenge the prime minister regarding petrol price before election. Now, without caring for his elections promises and budgetary promises, the VAT has been increased,” he said.
The BJP leader alleged that the government is spending “so much” on publicity by earmarking Rs 526 crore for the purpose, and said the much needed relief could have been provided to the citizens by avoiding the increase in VAT.
The leader of opposition also said the Delhi Government has already put additional burden of 1,500 crore by increasing entertainment tax, levying charges on entry to the commercial vehicles in the city and increasing VAT on many items.
Meanwhile, the protest taken out by BJP workers included Pradesh in-charge Shyam Jaju, MPs Vijay Goel and Ramesh Bidhuri, MLAs Om Prakash Sharma and Jagdish Pradhan, among others.
Municipal councillor Sumitra Dahiya was injured during the police action on the demonstrators. She was taken to Guru Nanak Eye Hospital from where she was referred to Rajendra Prasad Eye Institute of AIIMs.
She is being operated for fixing artificial lance as she lost her sight, a statement from the party said.
Addressing the agitators, Upadhyay said no administrative excuse for hike being given by Delhi government stands ground.
“Delhi is a tax surplus state unlike neighbouring states and so there was no need to increase VAT rates. Even Kejriwal said this while speaking on the budget,” he said.
Delhi Youth Congress workers also protested outside the chief minister’s residence at Civil Lines against the hike. Youth Congress Delhi President and few other workers got injured when police used force on the demonstrators, a party statement said.