MAPUSA
Stating that spiralling prices of petroleum products have thrown life out of gear, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday urged the government to take measures to control the rising prices of petrol and gas cylinders in order to soften the blow on the common man.
“As it is, people’s businesses have already been affected due to Covid-19 pandemic and now the hike in prices of petrol, gas cylinders and other commodities has dealt a further blow to their livelihood,” said Sanjay Barde, General Secretary of NCP.
The NCP general secretary along with his supporters met and handed over a representation to the Deputy Collector Kapil Phadte.
Barde said former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar had reduced taxes on the fuel to make petrol in Goa cheapest in the country.
“Gone are those days. This BJP-led government is depending on petrol for its survival, leaving the common man to suffer silently,” he said.
He questioned the BJP’s Mahila Mandal whether they were happy with the rise in prices of petrol and gas and urged them to come out and protest against the hike.
“The BJP-led government recently organised an eye camp in Mapusa possibly because they wanted to open the eyes of the people against the rising prices of the petroleum products,” said Barde in a remark loaded with sarcasm.
He said with the rapid hike of price on gas cylinders, the common man was not able to afford the cylinders for their daily cooking purpose.
“I request the government to take measures to control the rise in prices of petrol and gas and also take strict action against retailers and distributors who indulge in corrupt practices,” he said.
The NCP general secretary also hit out at the government for laying the foundation stone for the new bus-stand when elections were at the doorstep.
He said the new bus-stand was conceived and estimated to cost around Rs 240 crore but this government has limited the cost to Rs 3.35 crore.
“Who are they fooling? People of Mapusa are wise enough to understand and the voters will teach such people a deserving lesson at the hustings,” he said.
Barde further said that the BJP controlled Mapusa Municipal Council in its five-year tenure failed to give proper toilets and roads to the residents of Mapusa.
