NPCC party workers on their way to submit memorandum to the Governor in Kohima on July 16.
Submits memorandum to Governor on unreasonable fuel price hike
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 16
Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland regarding the ‘unreasonable’ fuel price hike.
The memorandum was handed over to Commissioner & Secretary to Governor as the latter is not in station. In a memorandum, NPCC president K Therie and other signatories stated that the NPCC has joined the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in a nationwide agitation and peaceful protest from July 7 to 17 against unprecedented increase in prices of essential commodities and unreasonable price hike on petrol, diesel and LPG.
The memorandum stated that in the last two months alone, the government has hiked fuel prices on over 35 occasions and in more than 200 cities, prices of petrol have crossed Rs 100 per litre.
In Nagaland too, the price of petrol has crossed Rs 100 per litre in all the 12 districts.
High excise duty on petrol & diesel
The NPCC stated that the Union government charges Rs 32. 90 per litre as Central Excise Duty on petrol and Rs 31.80 per litre on diesel.
The government has earned over Rs 22 lakh crores in last seven years by imposing high excise duty on petrol and diesel, the memorandum stated.
Similarly, prices of edible oils have nearly doubled in the last six months and prices of pulses have seen an unprecedented rise.
“Every household item has seen quantum jump in prices. With the daily increase of fuel prices at an all time high and with pandemic lockdown in place, prices of essential commodities have soared to unbearable level for common people,” the memorandum stated.
‘Total breakdown of constitutional machinery’
Meanwhile, the memorandum stated that the state government has abdicated its responsibility towards checking price rise ever since it adopted the policy to actively facilitate and support collection of illegal taxes by “Naga National workers.”
“The inaction of state government is no less that funding terrorism to starve its own people. Moreover, we have hundred of societies, union and associations collecting every day, every month and annually under the very nose of government authorities. These collections are all added on prices of essential commodities and construction materials. This amounts to total breakdown of constitutional machinery, as the law of the land does not exist anymore in the state under regional party government,” it alleged.
The NPPC informed the Governor that unemployment has reached its peak with the return of thousands of young Naga returnees who were working in different parts of the country. Lack of opportunities in employment and lack of funding for entrepreneurs is driving the society to hunger and frustration, it said.
“The state is already in danger zone with unresolved political issue. People have no option as banks and financial institutions are not willing to implement GOI policy on MSME collateral free loan due to wrong selection process. Even genuine entrepreneurs with skill and commitment are being deprived. The problem is added with state government refusing application of SARFAESI Act and non – declaration of cadastral area .With late monsoon, a famine situation is fast taking shape,” the memorandum stated.
NPCC demands
The NPCC informed that there has been an immense response to the peaceful protests from people across all sections of the society, irrespective of political affiliation.
It demanded that the state government constitute an Independent Pricing Commission headed by a High Court Judge to streamline process of essential commodities and enforce Essential Commodities Act of 1955 as amended upto date.
It also demanded that the state government constitute High Powered Committee to streamline collection of fees, donations and contributions by various societies, trade unions/associations.
The NPCC stated that the office of Labour Commissioner must review permissions granted to various trade unions/associations that have become a big menace to an already overburdened state reeling under an onslaught of illegal taxation/collection activities.
Further, it demanded roll back of Central Excise Duty, state VAT, LPG price and SK oil to 2014 bench line.
