State Lorry Owners’ Federation – Tamil Nadu has urged the Centre to reject Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian’s suggestion that excise duty on petrol and diesel should not be cut in the future.
Mr. Arvind had submitted an approach paper last month suggesting a status quo on excise duties till international oil prices rise to 65 dollars a barrel after which the rise in price should be borne both by the consumers and government.
Addressing the media persons here on Tuesday, federation president M.R. Kumarasamy said that the government raised excise duty when crude prices were falling but was not reducing when price fell. “The government should reject his recommendations as it will push the lorry industry to dark,” he added. He said that the Centre had allowed the private toll plaza operators to collect fine from the lorry owners for overloading. “We strongly condemn it and private companies should not be allowed to collect the fine,” he added.
Mr. Kumarasamy said they would submit a petition to the Collector and the police seeking protection for drivers and to prevent theft of lorries and goods.
