Raced to complete 100 in Thrikkakkara, now tomato prices touch Rs 100; V D Satheesan against govt

KOCHI: Amid the government’s race to complete 100 in Thrikkakkara, the market price of tomatoes has touched Rs 100, said opposition leader V D Satheesan. Despite a sharp rise in prices, the government is unable to intervene in the market, criticized Satheesan.

“The government should reduce the fuel tax. The state government has received an additional revenue of Rs 6000 crores, as the centre hiked the tax, within the last five years. Not even a single paisa was reduced from this. The state should give up the additional revenue”, said Satheesan.

Meantime, Finance Minister K N Balagopal said that there are no more plans to reduce fuel prices in the state. The fuel tax in Kerala did not drop naturally. Rather, it was reduced by the state, said the minister. “Kerala’s tax reduction is not commensurate with that of the centre. The LDF government has not increased fuel tax in the state. The tax in Kerala was hiked by the Oommen Chandy government. We are ready to release the figures in this regard”, he said.