New Delhi, July 08: Targeting Mukesh Ambani group, the
Samajwadi Party has demanded windfall profit tax and
withdrawal of concessions to private sector oil firms saying
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should take cognizance of its
wish list as seriously as its support for the nuclear deal.
"If I take the Prime Minister's suggestion on nuclear deal
seriously, I hope Prime Minister will take cognizance of what
I raised," Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh told
agencies.
Also targeting the Petroleum Minister, Singh said Murli
Deora "continues to favour only one well-known private
operator". He said no individual in private sector "should be
allowed this kind of loot."
While the country is reeling under the "spectre of
unaffordable petrol, diesel and cooking gas prices," these oil
companies were enjoying "double mazaa and indirect loot", he
said.
Singh said the petrol pumps started by the private firms
have been converted into real estate and pointed out that
"they (private refiners) are earning Rs 15 per barrel and a
profit of USD six billion."
Singh, however, debunked reports that he was working at
the behest of his close friend and Reliance ADA Group chairman
Anil Ambani, who is at loggerheads with elder brother Mukesh.
"Finance Minister is perceived to be close to Anil Ambani
if Murli Deora is perceived to be close to Mukesh Ambani.
public perception is not good," the SP leader said.
Suggesting a windfall profit tax of up to 50 percent on
both upstream and downstream operators, Singh said the levy
will immediately cover the under-recoveries of the oil
marketing companies by Rs 100,000 crore.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, July 08, 2008, 00:00