Centre must rollback cess on fuel; Telangana did not raise VAT since 2014: KCR

KCR said without an increase in crude oil prices in the international market, the Government of India (GoI) unnecessarily levied cess on petrol and diesel burdening the pockets of the middle class and poor people.

"If the Government of India is sincere towards poor people, they should withdraw cess on petrol and diesel. Telangana government will hold dharnas and raise the voice in Parliament also. We are ready to join hands with others in this regard if necessary", he said.

The Chief Minister clarified the state government has not increased VAT on petrol and diesel since 2014. "So there is no question of lowering the VAT. The Centre levied cess instead of excise duty on petrol and diesel keeping in view of sharing it to states," he said.

"Excise duty collected by the Centre is deposited in the divisible pool. The cess is not going into the divisible pool. The states have no share in the cess collected by the Centre on fuel prices. If the Centre withdraws the cess, fuel prices will come down and people will get relief", he said.

CM lashes out at state BJP leadership over paddy crops

Chief Minister KCR also lashed out at the state BJP leadership and at its government at the Centre. He said the state BJP leaders were taking irresponsibly especially on paddy purchases. He said it was the responsibility of the center to come to the aid of all sections of the people including farmers.

KCR said the TRS government would launch agitation against the contentious farm laws. "Dharnas would also be conducted in support of farmers who are agitating for one year," he said.

He said farmers are also happy in the state because of the people-friendly schemes. "Introduction of free 24x7 power supply to the farmers, Rythu Bandhu Scheme, Rythu Bhimma, Kakatiya Mission, new irrigation projects are some of the schemes. With the sincere efforts of the government, the agriculture sector was standardized in the state," he said.

In the wake of the Centre's decision, the state government has suggested the farmers cultivate alternative crops of paddy. "It would be more beneficial to the farmers. There is no clarity from the Centre on purchasing paddy crops so far. Last year, the Centre clearly mentioned that the farmers should focus on alternative crops. The Centre also suggested to the state to extend incentives for it," h said.

Keeping this in mind, he said, the state government had suggested farmers cultivate alternative crops. "But the state BJP president stated that the Centre is ready to purchase paddy crops. He also suggested farmers cultivate paddy crops," he said.