Bhubaneswar: The youth and student wings of BJD have decided to put on hold their agitation over fuel price and essential commodities hike for 10 days. They had decided to stage a protest against the fuel price from November 5 to 7.
The decision to put the protest on hold was taken after the Centre reduced excise duty on petrol by Rs 5 and on diesel by Rs 10. The state government too followed and announced reduction in VAT of Rs 3 on petrol and diesel with effect from November 5.
At a presser, Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) president Byomkesh Ray said the Centre’s announcement is due to protests by the party and hoped that the Centre would reduce LPG gas price too.
“The Centre was left with no option but to reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel following mass protest by BJD. Though we have put the agitation on hold for next 10 days we will hit the streets again, if the Centre does not reduce LPG prices,” Ray warned.
Meanwhile, the reduction of VAT on petrol by the state government will lead to a loss of Rs 200 crore to the state exchequer, said Ray.
While petrol was sold at Rs 104.73 per litre in the capital city on Thursday, it was Rs 105.51 in Cuttack. Petrol price had crossed Rs 110-mark in all districts of the state, a couple of days ago.
