Meghalaya govt offers Rs 2 rebate on fuel prices, commercial vehicles to continue strike

Shillong: Following the indefinite strike carried out by commercial vehicles in the Meghalaya, the state government on Sunday has decided to reduce Rs 2 per litre from the tax component of the Retail Sale price of Petrol and Diesel effective Monday, February 8.

Deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong informed that a meeting under the chairmanship of chief minister Conrad K Sangma was held with Commissioner & Secretary of Excise, Registration, Taxation and Stamps Department.

Tynsong said that they had reviewed the situation of increased prices of petrol and diesel in Meghalaya. “We have decided to offer a rebate of Rs 2 per litre from the tax component of the Retail Sale price of Petrol and Diesel effective from midnight of February 8, 2021,” informed Tynsong.

“The government took the decision to maintain price differential with neighbouring Assam, and offer relief to state consumers,” said Tynsong.

He urged the Meghalaya Joint Action Committee of Commercial Vehicles Association to withdraw their strike immediately.

Earlier, the petrol price in Meghalaya was Rs 91 per litre and diesel at Rs 83 per litre. The fuel prices were increasing every day with a difference of 50 paise either 1 rupee.

Meanwhile, the Association has decided to continue with the strike.

The Association began its indefinite strike on February 3, which left several of the commuters stranded.

Speaking with EastMojo MJACCVA chairman, Wandonbok Jyrwa said that it was a pointless decision made by the government.

“What is the use of reducing only 2 rupees? If the government is reducing only Rs 2 today, it is no use because in a day or so it is going to increase again,” said Jyrwa.

He said that it was a tactic to fool them to stop the indefinite strike. “If the government is concerned, they should reduce the tax from Rs 31 to Rs 15 we will be quick to withdraw our strike,” said Jyrwa.

Jyrwa said that the Association has two demands. One was the reduction in the hike of petrol and diesel prices, while the other is the reduction in taxes collected from commercial vehicles.

“The government should reduce the tax charged from commercial vehicles and also to reduce the tax charged on petrol and diesel. If these two are not met, we will continue with the strike until and unless government comes up with a concrete solution,” said Jyrwa.