Communists want low prices everywhere except Kerala, refuse to cut on fuel taxes
Communists always talk about rising prices and want the governments to bring down the prices of petrol and diesel. But, on a day when the Modi government brought down the petrol prices by Rs 5 and diesel prices by Rs 3, the Communist government in Kerala refused to follow suit. It said that it will not forego its tax revenues and said that there would be no corresponding reduction of the prices in Kerala.
Interestingly, many states have also cut down on their share of taxes on fuel bringing down the prices by another Rs 9. Many states have also reduced the fuel cess introduced during the Covid 19 period. Kerala Finance Minister Venugopal said that there was no question of cutting down on the state government's share of taxes.
The Communist Government has said that the State Government's revenues will suffer hugely if the taxes are brought down. He said that when the State government reduces its tax on the basic fuel price, it will also have an effect on the state tax as there would be a proportionate decrease in State taxes. The Opposition Congress and the BJP have demanded that the Kerala's Communist Government live up to its pro-poor image and brin down its share of taxes. State finance minister said there was no need to reduce the tax in Kerala.
"If the Centre reduces its tax on fuel, the decrease in Kerala will be much more. For instance, If diesel price is reduced by Rs 10, the actual decrease is around Rs 12.30," he said. It is quite ironic to see that the Communists, who always talk about price rise, are the ones who are actually rooting for higher taxes.
Interestingly, many states have also cut down on their share of taxes on fuel bringing down the prices by another Rs 9. Many states have also reduced the fuel cess introduced during the Covid 19 period. Kerala Finance Minister Venugopal said that there was no question of cutting down on the state government's share of taxes.
The Communist Government has said that the State Government's revenues will suffer hugely if the taxes are brought down. He said that when the State government reduces its tax on the basic fuel price, it will also have an effect on the state tax as there would be a proportionate decrease in State taxes. The Opposition Congress and the BJP have demanded that the Kerala's Communist Government live up to its pro-poor image and brin down its share of taxes. State finance minister said there was no need to reduce the tax in Kerala.
"If the Centre reduces its tax on fuel, the decrease in Kerala will be much more. For instance, If diesel price is reduced by Rs 10, the actual decrease is around Rs 12.30," he said. It is quite ironic to see that the Communists, who always talk about price rise, are the ones who are actually rooting for higher taxes.