The Hindu : Reduce tax on aviation fuel: BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 11, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Reduce tax on aviation fuel: BJP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 10. The BJP State president, P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, on Saturday urged the State Government to reduce the tax on aviation fuel in the State.

He also called on the political fronts in the State to end controversies, designed to distract attention from their poor performance and corruption, and concentrate on the development of the State.

Mr. Pillai alleged that the Government turned the educational sector into an arena of corruption, nepotism and communalism. The controversy over the issue of no-objection certificates to B. Ed. colleges demonstrated that.

The BJP leader said that the overseas Keralites would be benefiting the most from the tax and other concessions announced by the Centre. Air fares and custom duties had come down.

He noted that State was charging 24 per cent tax on aviation fuel whereas neighbouring Tamil Nadu charged only 4 per cent. So, Kerala should bring down the rates for the benefit of Gulf Malayalis.

The criticism of the Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, and the Congress against the concession given by the Government to the people was deplorable. The Government had the right to announce concessions to the people anytime. The high allocation for agriculture was the continuation of policies followed by the NDA Government during the past four years. For example, it had set apart a record 58 per cent of the Budget for agriculture and rural development.

He said the infighting in the Congress and controversies would have ceased if the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, gave the green signal for disciplinary action. However, Mr. Antony would not do so as the faction fight served to divert attention from the inefficiency of the Government and corruption.

If the CPI(M) wanted a debate on theoretical issues, it should be on the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union and changes in China. However, the CPI(M) and CPI showed criminal neglect by not offering any explanation. China had embraced market competition and private ownership of means of production and had given memberships to capitalists in the communist party. "Now, where is communism in China? Does not this merit an evaluation?" he asked.

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