BJP stages protest against VAT hike by AAP-led Delhi government

NEW DELHI: A day after the AAP-led Delhi government hiked VAT, BJP staged a protest on Thursday questioning the move. BJP members said that the government is burdening taxpayers by increasing VAT whereas it is spending crores on advertisement. The party has requested lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung to roll back the hike.

BJP said Kejriwal used to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding not bringing down petrol prices. "Now, without caring for his elections and budget promises, VAT has been increased. Had the government not been spending so much on publicity by earmarking Rs 526 crore for it, much-needed relief could have been provided to citizens," said Vijender Gupta, leader of opposition, Delhi assembly .

BJP claims that chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has betrayed Delhiites. "During the budget debate last month, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia had promised that VAT would not be increased. But within three weeks they have gone back on their promise," Gupta said.

Hundreds of BJP workers, including senior members, staged a protest at ITO and tried to march towards Delhi Secretariat. "Such tax hikes will damage Delhi's trade and result in revenue loss. The CM protests on every issue. Why doesn't he do the same against VAT hikes to save the capital's distributive trade centre status?" said Satish Upadhyay.

Meanwhile, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have also agreed to increase VAT to bring uniformity in tax structures. In Haryana, BJP is in power, while it supports the HP government. Party members remained silent on the hike in these states.

AAP's senior functionary and Delhi Dialogue Commission vice chairman Ashish Khetan said, "This is an administrative decision for a uniform VAT structure across the states of north India. The revision has not impacted the common man negatively. Also, petrol rates in Delhi are still lower than other states," he said.

Protester seriously injured in left eye

BJP member Sumitra Dahiya was injured during police action on BJP protesters on Thursday. She fell on the ground and bled profusely from the left eye after being hit by a water cannon. "She has lost vision in the left eye," said Praveen Shankar Kapoor, media convener, Delhi BJP.

Senior doctors at AIIMS confirmed that the injury was serious. "We have given her painkillers and a second round of evaluation will be conducted on Friday," a doctor said.