A huge petroleum robbery

MONDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2015

It is revealed that the government has grabbed a huge Rs.22,049 million as fuel tax without giving the advantage of the fuel prices coming down in the world market drastically to the people.

The Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka participating in the budget debate said the price of a barrel of crude oil has come down from US$102 to US$46 but the government has not given the advantage of this reduction to the people. Instead the government has burdened the people with huge taxes.

The plunder by the government is revealed in the latest Fiscal Management Report. It shows that the tax income from fuel during the January – September period last year was Rs.4,675 but the income for the same period this year has risen to Rs. 22,049.

This is an increase of 471,63%. Had the benefit of the decrease in fuel prices in the world market given to the people they would have received further benefits such as reduction of prices  in industrial products, transport etc.