If people don’t have liability for development projects why did the govt imposed cess on petrol and diesel, asks K Surendran

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state president K Surendran has said the claim of finance minister and chief minister that state has no liability while implementing development projects, is an utter lie. He also asked if there is no liability then why did the state government imposed cess on petrol and diesel. “The state government has amassed Rs 6,700 crore from the people in the form of petroleum & road cess and also in the form of transport tax in the period between 2018-20. All contentions of the finance minister which will only enhance the tax burden on people are illogical,” Surendran said in a press brief held at Thiruvananthapuram.

Surendran also criticised the finance minister’s response on the controversy over publicising CAG report before the media. “If a loan which could have been made available at an interest rate of seven per cent is received at a higher rate of nine per cent and on whom does the finance minister thinks the additional financial burden will fall upon. Is this is the proper way to implement projects which directly affect the people,” the BJP chief asked.