Maharashtra CM Gives A Befitting Reply To PM Modi's Urge On Cutting Fuel Tax
by Suraj V. Digital Marketing (sr. SEO Expert)After the Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in its review meeting urged Maharashtra and
other non-BJP ruled states to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel, Maharashtra
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray gave a befitting reply to the Centre.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi
interacted with the Chief Ministers to review the COVID-19 situation here
today, April 27.
However, Thackeray hinted that
state government won't cut VAT on auto fuel but said it has already reduced it
on natural gas. To provide relief to the citizens of the state, the state
government has already given tax relief in respect of natural gas, he added.
In a veiled attack at PM Modi,
Thackeray said that he has accused the state government of pushing up petrol
and diesel prices.
He further clarified that
Centre's share is INR 24.38 per litre and state's is INR 22.37 in diesel sold
in Mumbai.
Whereas, in petrol Centre's share
is INR 31.58 per litre and state's is INR 32.55 per litre.
Maharashtra gets 5.5 per cent of
central tax. Maharashtra's share in total direct tax is 38.3 per cent.
Maharashtra collects the highest GST of 15 per cent in the country. Combining
both direct taxes and GST, Maharashtra is the number one state in the country.
Despite this, the state still owes about INR 26,500 crore in GST arrears,
Thackeray exclaimed.
During the COVID-19 review meet,
the Prime Minister said that in order to reduce the load of petrol and diesel
prices central government has reduced the excise duty and had requested the
states also to reduce taxes. Some states reduced taxes but some states did not
pass on the benefits to the people, leading higher cost of petrol and diesel in
these states. This is not only injustice towards the people of the state but
harms the neighbouring states also. He said that states like Karnataka and
Gujarat undertook the tax reduction for the welfare of the people despite
revenue loss while their neighbouring states earned revenue by not reducing
tax.
Similarly, the Prime Minister
said that last November a request was made to reduce VAT but many states like
Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala,
Jharkhand did not do so for some reason. The Prime Minister said 42 per cent of
the revenue at Centre goes to State governments. “I urge all the states to work
as a team in this time of global crisis following the spirit of cooperative
federalism," Modi requested.
Union Home Minister spoke about
the recent increase in coronavirus cases in some states, and about the need to
follow test, track, treat, vaccination and ensure COVID-appropriate behaviour.
Union Health Secretary gave a
presentation in which he discussed the rise of cases across several countries
in the world, while also highlighting the rise of cases in some states in
India. He spoke about the need for states to regularly monitor and report data,
maintain effective surveillance, upgrade infrastructure and utilise funds given
by the Centre.
The Prime Minister noted the
collective efforts of centre and state in the fight against Corona. He put on
record his appreciation for the Chief Ministers, officers and all Corona
Warrior for their efforts. He said that this is clear that Corona challenge is
not fully over. Omicron and its subvariants can create problem as evident by
the case of many countries of Europe. The subvariants are causing many surges
in many countries. He said India has been able to deal with the situation better
than many countries. Still, in last two weeks, increasing cases in some of the
states show that we need to stay alert, he said.
The Prime Minister said that the
Omicron wave was handled with determination and without panic and in the last
two years, all aspects of Corona fight whether, health infrastructure, oxygen
supply or vaccination, have been strengthened. In the third wave, none of the
state saw situation going out of control. This, the Prime Minister said, should
be seen in the context of the massive vaccination drive. He said vaccine
reached each and every person and it is a matter of pride that 96 per cent
adult population is vaccinated with at least one dose and about 84 per cent
people above 15 years of age have received both the doses. Vaccine, as per
experts is the biggest safeguard against corona, he added.
PM mentioned that schools have
opened after long time and some parents are worried by the increased number of
cases in some places. He expressed satisfaction that more and more children are
getting the vaccine. He said that in March, campaign to vaccinate 12-14 years
of age was started and only yesterday, permission has been granted for Covaxine
vaccine for 6-12 year old children. “Our priority is to vaccinate all eligible
children at the earliest. For this, as before, special campaigns will also be
needed in schools. Teachers and parents should be aware about this”, said the
Prime Minister. Precautionary dose is available for all adults in the country
to strengthen the vaccine protective shield. Teachers, parents, and other
eligible people can take precautionary dose, he added.
The Prime Minister said that
during the third wave, India witnessed up to 3 lakh cases per day and all
states handled the situation and also allowed social and economic activity to
continue. This balance should inform our strategy in future also, he said. The
Prime Minister informed that the situation is being constantly monitored by the
scientists and experts and we have to work pro-actively on their suggestions.
“Preventing infections at the very beginning was our priority and should remain
so even now. We have to implement our strategy of test, track and treat with
same efficacy," he said.
The Prime Minister emphasized
cent percent testing of serious influenza cases and genome sequencing of the
positive cases, COVID-appropriate behaviour in the public places and avoiding
panic. He also emphasized continued upgradation of health infrastructure and
medical manpower.
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Created on Apr 27th 2022 07:44. Viewed 171 times.