THE 20 cents per litre extra duty imposed on fuel in April last year is severely hurting the people’s pockets and needs to be removed, says National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad.
He said now that world fuel prices had risen, contributing to significant increases locally, it was only fair that Government remove the extra duty immediately.
Prof Prasad said it was the duty of any government to pass on the benefits of any price reduction to the people as part of its social obligation.
“For 10 months now, this government has extracted extra revenue by imposing duty due on low fuel price,” he said.
“Therefore, people never fully benefited from the low fuel price.
“Government now must do the right thing by the people and immediately remove the duty that is becoming a financial burden on ordinary people and small businesses, which are struggling to survive.”
Prof Prasad explained that the price of motor spirit was $2.13 per litre, kerosene price increased by 20 cents per litre while the price of cooking gas increased by $2.68 per 12 kg cylinder.
“This will severely hurt the pockets of ordinary and poor people.
“On March 26, while delivering the COVID-19 Response Budget, the Minister for Economy justified the imposition of the 20 cents per litre extra duty, by saying the fuel prices were at their lowest because of dramatic reductions in world fuel price.
“We have had about three successive hikes to the price of fuel, resulting in motor spirit costing people $2.13 and rises to other fuel products.”
