Himachal Pradesh: Criticizing the Congress government on Tuesday, BJP State President Rajiv Bindal stated that the administration has imposed a “burden” of taxes and inflation upon the people. He asserted that the decision to levy a cess of ₹5 on petrol and diesel would further intensify the economic pressure on the common man. Describing this move as a “direct assault on the people’s pockets,” Bindal noted that its repercussions would be felt across all sections of society—including farmers, horticulturists, laborers, traders, and consumers. He warned that this hike would drive up transportation costs, consequently leading to increased fares for buses, taxis, and freight services. Furthermore, expenses related to farming and irrigation would rise, as would the cost of transporting horticultural produce. He also added that the tourism sector would suffer adverse effects as a result.
The BJP leader further accused the government of raising the prices of essential services and commodities—such as electricity, water, ration supplies, stamp duty, and cement—thereby further deteriorating the economic condition of the public. He claimed that under the current government’s tenure, stamp duty has surged by up to 500 percent, cement prices have risen by approximately ₹100 per bag, and the cost of ration items has also escalated. Bindal also expressed concern regarding the imposition of an entry tax, stating that it would negatively impact residents of border areas, as well as the trade and tourism sectors. He warned that higher fuel prices in Himachal Pradesh compared to neighboring states could encourage illicit trade and fuel smuggling, thereby creating a risk of the “fuel mafia” flourishing in the region.
