VASCO
All Goa Petrol Pump Owners Association President Paresh Joshi on Thursday said people may have to accept the fact that a fuel price hike is likely to continue, but appealed to the government to take appropriate steps to bring fuel prices under control.
Speaking to reporters in Vasco, Joshi said one main reason for the price hike was that fuel has not been brought under GST and is still categorised under VAT.
“Fuel price rise is likely to continue and prices are calculated on a certain formula decided by the government and increases with the hike in price of crude oil or USD exchange rates,” said Joshi.
“Earlier, fuel prices were hiked once in a few months, but now the prices are fluctuating daily and the burden is pushed on the customer. One major reason is that fuel is not included under GST with fixed taxes and is still under VAT and prices can be changed, as it includes excise and customs duty, besides other taxes.”
Joshi said GST would generate an almost fix income to the government.
“The government has spent a lot of money to carry out major reforms and enhance infrastructure and if the government wants to collect money, it can only be done through hikes in alcohol, cigarettes and petrol, as these products can generate revenue and it can also compensate for the deficit of money required for reforms and infrastructure,” said Joshi.
‘Despite fuel hike, demand not dropped’
VASCO: All Goa Petrol Pump Owners Association President Paresh Joshi said despite the fuel price hike, demand for fuel has not dropped at petrol pumps in the State.
“It was Rs 88 a litre, which has now crossed Rs 100. Since petrol has crossed the Rs 100 benchmark, people are angry but they have not realised that prices going up on a daily basis. Though people seem upset about the price rise, sale of petrol at pumps, especially in cities, have not gone down and people have accepted the price rise.” “Secondly, people used to fill petrol in litres but today, they pay a fix amount of around Rs 200 to Rs 300 at petrol pump,” said Joshi.
