Kerala - Kochi   

Cut tax on petrol, diesel: chamber

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed concern over the hike in the prices of petrol and diesel.

The price hike will adversely affect the normal life of people in Kerala who depended on other States for majority of consumer goods, especially essential commodities, said a statement of Chamber president John K. Paul. He urged the State and the Union Governments to reduce the rates of Central Excise and Sales Tax in order to reduce the adverse effect of the hike.

President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Balagopala B. Pai said a steep hike in petrol and diesel prices would push up operational costs with its adverse impact on industry, trade and construction activities. It will cast a heavy burden on the people in a consumer State like Kerala. It would be a great relief to all sections of society if the Central Government makes a review of the decision taking into consideration its repercussions on all kinds of economic related activities, he said in a statement.

The State Government should also consider granting a suitable reduction in the sales tax rates on petrol and diesel since the cost increase would automatically generate more revenue on this account, he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

`Operation Monsoon' getting results: police
Cut tax on petrol, diesel: chamber
Entrance: two top ranks in district
Around the City
In Kochi Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu