The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today supported the SAD-BJP government's move to increase VAT on diesel, cold drinks and cigarettes to mobilise funds for development.In a statement here, SAD general secretary and core committee member Maheshinder Singh Grewal said the rate of diesel in Punjab was among the lowest as compared to other States in the country. He said it was appropriate of the government to increase VAT on diesel by only one percent keeping in view the the State's agrarian economy.Mr Grewal lauded the government's bold move to increase VAT on cold drinks and cigarettes by 5 and 9.5 per cent respectively saying the funds so generated could be used to give a further boost to development in the State.Reacting to Pradesh Congress President Partap Bajwa's hypocritical statement on the issue, Mr Grewal said the latter's statement had been made with the sole motive of warding off criticism of his own failures. "Mr. Bajwa finds himself completely isolated in Punjab and has had to even bear the brunt of the party high command's anger recently due to his repeated failures at the hustings", he added.
Referring to Bajwa's statement, the SAD general secretary said it was very unfortunate that the PPCC President never voiced his resentment when petrol and diesel rates were increased scores of times during UPA rule. He also asked Bajwa to explain why he did not appreciate the move of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cut petrol prices twice recently. "This only proves Bajwa's hypocritical and anti Punjab character as he has always bartered away the interests of the State to please his political masters in Delhi", Mr Grewal added.Mr. Grewal said though inflation was a global phenomenon but the NDA and SAD-BJP regime in Punjab were both working assiduously to bring it down. “The incumbent alliance in Punjab has kept prices of several essential commodities unchanged to facilitate general masses", he added.