Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once again slammed the BJP led Central government on Thursday and claimed that the price of domestic gas should go down by at least rupees 300 immediately.
Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna, Mamata said that the Central government always takes credit for good things done and blames the state for anything wrong. “The people are facing problems and the central government is not bothered. They are just trying to put the blame on the state and wash away their responsibility. But this cannot go on for long. They should reduce the prices of petroleum products. You take over 75% of the tax, and you still want us to reduce our share of 25% taxes? How will State governments run in such a manner? We asked the Centre to keep Centre-State tax sharing at 50%, but our request was denied,” said Mamata.
It can be noted on Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked all the state governments to reduce the state taxes charged on petroleum products.
Taking further potshots at the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister said that the virtual meeting of Modi was not to discuss the Covid situation in the country but to ‘shed off’ their responsibility. Mamata also claimed that the BJP led central government should first reduce tax before imposing the same on the states. “I have given one rupee off from the tax for which I have given up 1500 crore tax on petrol and diesel every month. The state is yet to get at least 97000 crore rupees from the central government and after we get the money we might give more tax exemptions,” said Mamata.
