In 2012 when the BJP Government came to power with the complete majority and the agenda of BJP was to reduce the cost of petrol in the state. Following the victory in the election, Mr. Parrikar kept his promise and cut down the 11% VAT from petrol making it cheapest in India. He also assured the people of Goa that the rates will not go above Rs. 60/- under any circumstances but now with the introduction of 15% VAT on the petrol, the cost of the Petrol will be Rs. 65/- per liter, said the sources.
Goa was supposed to be the only state in India which had the petrol price bellow Rs. 60 and the same became possible due to the pre-election propaganda of BJP government in the state. Soon after coming to power in 2012 the first thing Mr. Parrikar did was the reversal of 11% VAT from petrol making it cheapest in India. Everybody was surprised with the decision of Goa’s CM but nobody could dare to follow it.
But now the picture has completely changed. After claiming the majority on the floor of the house Mr. Parrikar tabled the budget 2017, although he assured the people of Goa that his budget will not pinch the common man but looking at the new development people of Goa feels that Parrikar has drilled the big hole in their pocket.
Although, Mr. Parrikar have levied the 15% VAT on the petrol but he assured the people in the state that the rate will not cross the mark of Rs. 65 per liter. In 2012 when the cost of petrol across India was Rs. 70/- per liter the Goa BJP government headed by the BJP had slashed down the 11% VAT bringing the cost of petrol bellow Rs. 60/-
The news of Goa’s petrol price became the subject of the national issue. People from the neighboring states, especially those staying near the border started coming to Goa just to fill their petrol tank. But now with the inclusion of 15% VAT the scenario will not remain same anymore.
The sources have said that Cars have become cheaper but the petrol has become expensive. Mr. Parrikar told the house that there is a need of adding cost to the petrol which is pending for a long time. “Sir it is time to review this Major,” said Mr. Parrikar adding that, its time to implement the long pending tasks. “There are many existing and new provisions in the budget which needs to be addressed and to do that very much necessary to raise the VAT on petrol by 15% even with this increase the price the cost of petrol will not go above Rs. 65 and I assure you that,” Mr. Parrikar boasted in his signature style.
According to Mr. Parrikar despite the rise in the 15% VAT on the petrol in the state will not cross the mark of Rs. 65 in the state and that he will make sure of the same. The sources have revealed that in the absence of the Mining business revenue in the state of Goa the government had no other option but to revive the cost of petrol by adding the VAT on it which would result in generating enough revenue to substantiate the losses faced by the state due to mining closure.
People of Goa may not take this new development as the progressive one and government may have to face many backlashes from the people of Goa. Meanwhile, Mr. Parrikar, who is already doing the enough of juggling to keep the government running in the state may not be dearer to people as he used to be.
NEWS SOURCE : VARIOUS SOURCES | IMAGE SOURCE
