Gujarat Congress wants reduction in VAT in state

The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), in a statement to the press, said on Friday that the Gujarat government needs to follow in the footsteps of the Congress government in New Delhi that has reduced the Value-Added Tax (VAT) on diesel from 20 percent to 12.5%.

Stating that the VAT on diesel is highest in Gujarat (a whopping 25 percent), general secretary of the GPCC Nishit Vyas said that the BJP-led government, which is protesting the hike in diesel and petrol prices, needs to adopt a similar strategy and reduce VAT charges on essential commodities in the state.

By not doing so on one hand, and continuing to have demonstrations and protests against high prices on the other, the state BJP is clearly exhibiting its hypocritical streak, said Vyas in the press statement.