State BJP chief BY Vijayendra said that if the decision is not rolled back there will be a state-wide protest on 17 June.
(Representational/ iStock)
The Congress government in Karnataka on Saturday, 15 June, hiked the sales tax on petrol and diesel in the state with immediate effect. As a result of the increased taxes, the prices for both diesel and petrol have gone up by ₹3 in the state.
Responding to this decision, state BJP chief BY Vijayendra said that if the decision is not rolled back, there will be a state-wide protest on Monday, 17 June.
Speaking to the media, VIjayendra said, “Financial situation in Karnataka is getting worse everyday. They (Congress) are unable to run the government because of the guarantees they promised and the lack of necessary resources. BJP is demanding the CM to take back the decision and if not we will protest across the state on 17 June.”
He further said that the party is planning a nation-wide ‘hartal’ (strike) over corruption.
Referring to former minister B Nagendra’s alleged involvement in the illegal money transfer case, he said, “There are allegations that the money taken from Valmiki Corporation have been utilised in the elections. If more than ₹100 crores have been transferred from Valkimi in Karnataka to Andhra Pradesh, the scam does not involve just two-three people. Without the concurrence of the Finance Department, huge amount of money would not have gone outside Karnataka.”
Alleging that it means that Finance Minister and Chief Minister are also involved in the case, he said there should be accountability. “Money should be brought back and the CM should be held responsonsible,” he demanded. He also added that the Karnataka High Court has provided relief to former CM BS Yediyurappa, who has been named an accused in a POCSO case.
According to an official gazette notification released by the finance department, the Karnataka Sales Tax (KST) has increased from 25.92 percent to 29.84 percent on petrol and from 14.3 percent to 18.4 percent on diesel.
The move comes on the heels of the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, where inflation and price rise has been a critical issue.
A notification has been issued by the state finance department stating that the price hike would come into effect immediately
In Bengaluru, petrol was selling at ₹99.84 per litre, while diesel was selling at ₹85.93 per litre before the hike.
With the hike, the petrol prices are expected to rise to ₹103.84 per litre, and the diesel price to ₹88.93 per litre.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
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