New Delhi: Under attack for withdrawing
subsidy on cooking gas and increasing VAT on CNG and diesel,
Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said she was "open" to
reviewing the budget proposals noting that her's is a
"sensitive" government.
"We are open to it," Dikshit said when asked whether
government will review its decision on withdrawing subsidy on
cooking gas and increased VAT on a number of items.
Officials hinted that Government may try to readjust
the price of cooking gas by reducing tax on it. They said
government may also review its decision on increasing VAT on
CNG.
"Our's is a sensitive government. We always try to
address the problems of the common man," Dikshit said.
Presenting the budget, Delhi Finance Minister A K
Walia yesterday had announced the withdrawal of the Rs 40
subsidy on LPG cylinders for domestic consumers besides an
increase in VAT for diesel and CNG.
A five per cent tax was imposed on the Compressed
Natural Gas (CNG), the fuel used for public transport like
buses and auto-rickshaws. At present, there is no VAT on CNG.
Yesterday, the Chief Minister had justified the hike
saying the government was facing severe fund crunch due huge
spending on various projects linked to the Commonwealth Games.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 22:45