It is common knowledge that the prices of essential commodities go up when the cost of transportation increases which in turn increases the labour costs. This affects places like Goa more since it depends on huge amount of commodities from other States for the resident and floating population. The continuous rise in the prices of petrol to an all-time high of Rs 107 per litre has made life difficult for the common man.
Several complaints of the people against high price of petrol and cooking gas have fallen on deaf ears. The reason for the price rise that it is due to increase in international crude oil prices and the rupee-dollar exchange rate is not fully true. A close look at the retail price of petrol reveals that the basic cost of petrol is Rs 40 only, dealers commission is Rs 4, excise duty Rs 33 and VAT Rs 30. Thus the central and state taxes amount to Rs 63 per litre which is 158 per cent of the basic cost of petrol.
The government should re- look at the taxation and pricing policy to relieve the people of the crushing burden of high cost of living.
