Telangana never raised VAT on petroleum products-KCR

TRS  led Telangana government has not increased VAT on petroleum products and the question of reduction does not arise. Chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao told reporters in Hyderabad that we have not hiked VAT. We have not increased even a paisa so the question of reduction does not arise. Ever since the TRS government was formed, VAT has not been increased. Which fool will ask us to decrease (VAT)? Stating that the BJP has no moral right to ask States to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Sunday demanded the NDA government at the Centre to remove the cess on the petroleum products.

Slamming the State BJP leaders who announced agitational programmes against the TRS government for discouraging farmers not to go for paddy cultivation this Rabi season, KCR said it was the Centre which is not willing to procure paddy from the State. He said though the international crude prices are still hovering at a lower range, the Centre in the name of cess inflated the fuel prices thereby burdening the common man.According to him, the international prices never touched USD 105 per barrel after 2014, though the Centre increased the prices.

KCR said the Telangana Agriculture Minister requested farmers to give up paddy cultivation in view of the Centre''s lackadaisical attitude to procure paddy. KCR further said his party would also support farmers' stir in the North and would not allow the Centre to rest until those "anti-farm laws" are withdrawn. Alleging that the Telangana BJP leaders are claiming they would file cases against him and send him to prison, KCR dared the leaders to touch him.