Stating that the Union Government charges Rs.32.90 per litre as central excise duty on petrol and Rs.31.80 per litre on diesel, the NPCC said the government has earned over Rs 22 lakh crore in last seven years by imposing high excise duty on petrol and diesel
TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), which had joined the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in a nationwide 10-day agitation and peaceful protest since July 7 against unprecedented increase in prices of essential commodities and unreasonable price hike on petrol, diesel and LPG submitted a memorandum to the Nagaland Governor in Kohima on Friday.
According to the memorandum signed by NPCC president K. Therie, in the last two months alone, the government has hiked fuel prices on over 30 occasions and in more than 200 cities, prices of petrol have crossed Rs.100 per litre and in Nagaland, all the 12 districts have seen the price of petrol crossing Rs.100 per litre.
Stating that it was pertinent to mention that the Union Government charges Rs.32.90 per litre as central excise duty on petrol and Rs.31.80 per litre on diesel, the NPCC said the government has earned over Rs 22 lakh crore in last seven years by imposing high excise duty on petrol and diesel. Similarly, prices of edible oils have nearly doubled in the last six months and prices of pulses have seen an unprecedented rise.
“Every household item has seen a quantum jump in prices with the daily increase of fuel prices at an all-time high and with the pandemic lockdown in place, prices of essential commodities have soared to unbearable levels for common people,” the NPCC said.
Also stating that the state government has abdicated its responsibility towards checking price rise ever since it adopted the policy to actively facilitate and support collection of illegal taxes by Naga National workers, NPCC felt that the inaction of State government is no less that “funding terrorism” to starve its own people and added that Nagaland has hundreds of societies, unions, and associations collecting every day, every month and annually under the very nose of government authorities.
These collections, the NPCC said are added on prices of essential commodities and construction materials which it termed amounts to total breakdown of constitutional machinery, as the law of the land does not exist anymore in the state under regional party government.
The NPCC also brought notice to the Governor that unemployment has reached its peak with thousands of young Naga returnees who were working in different parts of the country and that lack of opportunities in employment and lack of funding for entrepreneurs was driving the society to “hunger and frustration.”
“The state is already in a danger zone with unresolved political issues. People have no option as banks and financial institutions are not willing to implement GoI policy on MSME collateral free loan due to wrong selection process,” said NPCC while also adding that even genuine entrepreneurs with skill and commitment are being deprived and the problem being added with State government refusing application of SARFAESI Act and non-declaration of cadastral area.
Meanwhile, the NPCC said that there has been an immense response to the peaceful protests from people across all section of the society irrespective of political affiliation demanding rollback of:
1. Centre Excise duty to 2014 bench line, State VAT to 2014 bench line, LPG price to 2014 bench line, S.K Oil to 2014 (crude oil which was at $101 per barrel in 2014 is now hovering well below $78).
2. That the State government must constitute an Independent Pricing Committee headed by High Court Judge to streamline prices of essential commodities and enforce Essential Commodities Act of 1955 as amended upto date.
3. That the State government must constitute a High Powered Committee to streamline collection of fees, donations and contributions by various societies, trade unions/associations. The office of Labour Commissioner must review permissions granted to various trade unions/associations that have become a big menace to an already overburdened state reeling under onslaught of illegal taxation/collection activities.