Nadda pulls up Congress govt in Himachal for increasing cement prices

BJP National President and Union Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday pulled up the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government for increasing the cement prices in the state at a time when the BJP government at the Centre has come up with revised GST rates to benefit the common man.

He said while the GST Bachat Utsav has brought relief to the people, the Congress government has chosen to fill its coffers at the cost of the people of the state reeling under the impact of the natural disasters.

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“On the one hand, there is joy of GST Bachat Utsav while on the other the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is further burdening the public with taxes. We know how Himachal Pradesh is trying to overcome the multiple disasters in the form of cloudburst, landslides, and floods,” Nadda said in a video message.

“With the inspiration of PM Modi, relief on cement was provided, keeping in mind the reconstruction in Himachal Pradesh, to ensure that the cement prices fall by Rs 30… However, the people of Himachal Pradesh could not benefit from the Central government’s move because of the indiscretion of the state government. At a time when the state is struggling to overcome the trauma of natural calamities and financial crisis, instead of bringing relief to the common people, the Congress dispensation has chosen to make hey of the people’s misery,” the Union Minister said.”

He called the state government’s move insensitive and immoral. The Himachal Pradesh government should have taken a cue from the neighbouring states selling cement at lower prices. “This is immoral and insensitive as the cement manufactured in Himachal Pradesh is available in the neighbouring states at a lower price while the same is being sold within the state at a much higher price. What’s more, the Congress government has raised taxes on water and electricity bills too… PM Modi wants to bring relief to the people of Himachal Pradesh but the Congress government is working to trouble them. This reveals the inhuman face of the Congress party. The more it is condemned, the less it is… When the time comes people, will teach a lesson to this anti-people government,” Nadda said.

The revamp in the Goods and Services Tax structure approved during the 56th meeting of the GST Council earlier came into effect from September 22. The four-slab system is replaced with a two-slab regime of 5 per cent and 18 per cent. A separate 40 per cent slab has been retained for luxury and sin goods.