Chennai: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader and Chidambaram Lok Sabha member Thol Thirumavalavan demanded the Central Government to withdraw `1 cess imposed of petrol and diesel price per litre immediately.
In a memorandum submitted to Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Tuesday Thirumavalavan has stated that already common people are suffering by unjust tax burden on petrol and diesel price and imposition of `1 cess on petrol and diesel price per litre would affect the people severely.
Thirumavalavan pointed out that the Iran crisis and cut in the production announced by the OPEC counties are threatening the global oil market. The average crude oil price per barrel in April 2019 was 71 US dollars. But you have said in the budget that the ‘crude prices have softened from their highs’. Already the common people are suffering by unjust tax burden on petrol and diesel. “Now an increase of Rs 1 cess on every litre of petrol and diesel has been announced in the budget. It is unbearable to the people. I kindly request you to withdraw the increase,” he said.
Welcoming the tax exemption announced in the budget for the affordable housing Thirumavalavan noted that there would be problem in fixing upper limit as Rs 45 lakh. Even in medium size cities like Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore the average sq ft rate of an apartment is more than Rs 6,000. Buying an 800 sq ft apartment will easily surpass the eligible limit. Hence, he requested the Union Minister to consider the reality and increase the upper limit at least to Rs 60 lakh.
Thirumavalavan said the government promised in the draft New Education Policy 6 per cent in GDP for education. But contrary to its promise we see only a mere Rs 11,000 crore increase in the allocation to HRD. He said the fund allocation is quite insufficient. He requested the Central government to increase the fund.
Pointing out allocation of Rs 4,31,011 crore to the Defence Ministry, which is increase of about Rs 27000 crore increase from 2018-19, Thirumavalavan requested the Central government to find ways to ease the tension in our border with Pakistan and pave way to use more funds to social welfare schemes. He asked the government to increase fund allotted to Post Matric Scholarship to SC and ST students.
The MP also thanked the Finance Minister for consider their plea to set up an Airport in Ullundurpet in Villupuram LS Constituency. He said based on their request the minister directed authorities to prepare feasibility report.
