CPI(M) State secretary P. Madhu, along with senior leaders Ch. Babu Rao and Donepudi Kasinath, staged a rasta roko demanding roll back in the prices of petrol and diesel here on Tuesday.
He said the frequent increase in petroleum products was resulting in increase of inflation and paving the way for rise of transport costs. “Despite the reduction in crude oil price in the world market, the NDA government was keen to fill its coffers by constantly increasing the prices of diesel and petrol,” Mr. Madhu said.
He said the price of one litre petrol was ₹80.35 in which the share of Centre’s tax was ₹22 and that of State government was ₹28. “The actual price of petrol is just ₹30 but owing to heavy taxation, the customer is forced to pay ₹80. It will not be a surprise if the cost of litre petrol may cross ₹100 soon.”
He asked the Central government to bring petroleum products under GST. “This will reduce the prices of petrol and diesel considerably.”
‘Heavy tax’
Mr. Madhu said the State government was levying heavy tax of 31% on petrol products. “The neighboring Telangana government is selling petrol ₹2 less than in the State.”
All the party leaders were taken into custody and later released.
