Ardent slams MDA for its anti-people policy

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 8, 2021

Former legislator from Nongkrem, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has termed the state government’s decision to impose tax on fuel as “anti-people policy”.

“The decision of the state government to impose tax on fuel, is an anti-people policy which has a direct bearing and severe impact on the life of the common man, especially the poor and the downtrodden,” Basaiawmoit, who is also convener of the Revolution Iada La ka Ri, said in a statement issued on Monday.

His statement came following the state government and the commercial vehicle operators are at loggerheads over the issue of fuel price hike in the state.

The commercial vehicles continue to remain off road as part of the ongoing indefinite strike after they rejected the government’s decision to reduce the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 2 only.

Stating that it also has a collateral effect on the state’s economy, Basaiawmoit said that the argument made by the state government on its decision to impose tax on fuel is unjustified.

He said it is unfortunate that people will have to take to the street to realize their demands due to the insensitivity of those who are at the helm of affairs.

Further, the former legislator said that the recent decision of the state government to reduce fuel tax by two rupees, is too little too late, and an eyewash to hoodwink the people.

“In fact, if the government is serious about reducing the burden of the common people, it could have taken a number of steps before it resorted to such an extreme measure,” he asserted.

Asking the government to prevent unnecessary expenditure and wastage of public funds, Basaiawmoit said “The government should do away with all political appointees which includes chairman, co-chairmen, vice chairmen in various boards and corporations and also political advisers.”

He also demanded that the state government should also stop all leakages in revenue collection.

“For instance, the failure of the State government to stop illegal transportation of coal has seriously dented the revenue collection of the State, and a great loss to the state’s exchequer,” the ex-MLA said while adding that the government has failed to adopt strict austerity measures to ensure that there is no wastage of public money.