Mumbai, India (Sarhind Times) – The Goa government has announced an increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, effective from Saturday. This hike will result in petrol prices rising by Re 1 per litre and diesel prices by 36 paise per litre, according to an official notification issued on Friday by Pranab G Bhat, Under Secretary (Finance) of the state government.
Details of the Hike
The increase in VAT is set to affect the current fuel prices in Goa, where the cost of petrol will rise to ₹ 96.40 per litre and diesel to ₹ 88.26 per litre. The decision has sparked significant criticism from opposition leaders and the public alike.
Opposition’s Response
Yuri Alemao, Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader, condemned the VAT hike, calling it an act of an “insensitive government.” He urged the Pramod Sawant administration to withdraw the increase immediately and focus on curbing wasteful expenditures instead. “The state government wants to break the backbone of the common people. Just recently, they hiked the power tariff and today we have a rise in petrol and diesel prices,” Mr. Alemao stated.
Public Outcry
The announcement has also led to an outcry from other political figures and the public. Goa Aam Aadmi Party chief Amit Palekar expressed his discontent on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), accusing the BJP-led government of exacerbating the financial burden on the common man. “To fuel the ever-rising need of corruption of @BJP4Goa led by CM @DrPramodPSawant after electricity price hike now BJP puts hands in the pockets of common again by raising fuel prices. How much more you will make a common man suffer?” Palekar posted.
Government’s Justification
While the government has yet to provide a detailed justification for the hike, such increases are typically attributed to the need to balance state finances and manage expenditures. However, opposition leaders argue that these measures disproportionately affect the lower and middle-income groups who are already struggling with rising costs of living.
Impact on Residents
The hike in fuel prices comes on the heels of a recent increase in power tariffs, compounding the financial strain on Goa’s residents. The combined effect of these hikes is likely to be felt across various sectors, including transportation and goods, leading to a broader increase in the cost of living.
Call for Action
Opposition leaders and social activists are calling for immediate action to address the grievances of the common people. They are demanding the withdrawal of the VAT hike and urging the government to find alternative solutions to manage state finances without imposing additional burdens on the public.
Conclusion
The Goa government’s decision to hike VAT on petrol and diesel has led to widespread criticism and concerns about the financial well-being of its residents. As the state grapples with these economic challenges, the focus remains on finding balanced approaches that do not disproportionately impact the common man.
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