Several apex tribe organisations have vehemently expressed their objections to the imposition of COVID-19 cess of Rs.5 on a litre of diesel, Rs.6 on a litre of petrol and motor spirits which came into effect from midnight of April 28.
In separate statements, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) and Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) have slammed the COVID-19 cess and demanded an immediate rollback.
NCD: In a statement issued by NCD vice president and convenor PAC, K. Ghokheto Chophy has expressed strong objection to the COVID-19 cess on petrol and diesel when people were undergoing hard times due to lockdown.
NCD said whatever explanation made by the state government in justifying the imposition of the cess was unreasonable and can never justify “such heartless deed.” In view of the above, NCD has asked all petrol pumps to shut down and appealed to all petrol pump owners to “express their solidarity” with public in order to show resentment against the state government for as long as prices of fuel continue to hike up prices of essential commodities.
Therefore, NCD demanded that the state government immediately withdraw the cess as various organisations have also come out strongly against the “reckless decision” to prove that the hikes were ill timed. When internationally, prices of oil have slumped there was no reason for the hike at the present juncture said NCD. Further, it said that the state government was not facing any shortage of funds as the Centre has granted generous amount to prepare and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. NCD therefore, demanded that the thoughtless decision warranted its immediate withdrawal.
CNTC: CNTC said it was “dumbstruck and shocked” at the hikes on diesel, petrol and motor spirits which came at a time when the entire world was witnessing a global crash on prices of all petroleum products. Stating that the decision to impose cess was unacceptable and unjustifiable by any logic, CNTC said it has only added to the woes of the suffering people and demanded its immediate rollback.
CNTC said all explanations and justifications for the cess at the present difficult times, were “empty and meaningless” and an insult on the people.
CNTC said it was simple logic that rise in prices of fuel will only push up prices of all commodities. Hence, instead of subsidising essential items and relieving public from hardships who are facing a difficult time, the government was only adding more burden on public just to earn revenue.
CNTC argued that enough grants were received from Prime Minister Care Fund, State Disaster Response Management Fund, NEC etc to combat COVID-19. Therefore, it said, no explanation would justify the act. Further, CNTC said when the common people, especially the lower section of society were undergoing hard time even for one plate of food due to lockdown and completely dependent upon relief for survival, the cess was a heartless act that was like adding salt to injury.
WSH: The WSH has described the hikes of diesel and petrol as “truly shocking and greatly distressing” and in complete disregard to the plight of the common man. WSH further stated, that it was “very unbecoming” of the state government to take such “an upsetting measure” when people were reeling under immense hardship on all fronts and with all economic activities and security disrupted. It said the government should be providing people’s needs and relieving their hardship, instead of adding to it by “ such a senseless act” that has only multiplied their misery.
According to WSH, the most basic necessities such as health and food should be generously provided free of cost under the present situation rather than making things costlier due to the cascading effect of the hikes.
WSH also said the state government’s decisions to cut the DA and Dearness Relief of its employees then hiking the prices of fuel will only push up prices of almost all items and invoke double hardship on the people.
In the light of global slump on oil prices to the lowest ever level, WSH demanded that the state government immediately revoke COVID-19 cess.
Petroleum Dealers: Petroleum Dealers Association Dimapur (PDAD) and Kohima Petroleum Dealers Association (LPDA) have also appealed to the state government to review its decision while considering the problems faced by the general public.
In a joint statement, PDAD president Neingutoulie Kengurüse and KPDA president T Jabou Sekhose clarified that the retail production outlets (petrol pumps) have no gain or loss in the recently increased price of fuel. They said that sale commission of the petrol pumps has remained the same, but the difference in the price due to the increase was paid into the coffers of the state government.
The two associations have, therefore, appealed to the public not to harass the petrol pumps in the issue of price rise as it was beyond their control.
DDCF: Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) has said that despite call for rollback of COVID-19 cess, there was no positive response from the government on the issue.
DDCF through its media cell stated that with the imposition of COVID cess, the already skyrocketing prices of commodities would automatically shoot up again. It said fuel price hike would not only affect the prices of commodities, but also the citizens who had been under lockdown.
The forum stated that the increase of cess on petrol and diesel was “unthinkable” and should be withdrawn.
Further, DDCF appealed the state government to listen to the genuine appeals of the people and reconsider its decision for the welfare of the people.