Port Blair, Jan. 3: The State DMK party has once again raised the issue of the decision taken by the Port Blair Municipal Council to introduce 1% Octroi on food items. In a letter to the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, dated 23rd Dec. 2011, the State Organiser Shri A.R. Marudhavanan brought to the notice of the Lt. Governor about the anti-people polices of the present PBMC run by Congress, RJD & TDP combine.
The State Organiser DMK said, “We have written a number of letters but till date no action has been initiated from the LG’s Secretariat to our knowledge”.
The righting off of Gold and Silver Octroi dues, Extension for the rental agreement and reducing of Octroi value for Gold and Silver from 6% to 1% was not enough and now the Council has confirmed its resolution of introducing 1% Octroi on food items in the Council meeting held on 14th Dec. 2011.
Marudhavanan further said that it’s an irony that Smti. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson UPA is bent on clearing the Food Security Bill in the winter session of the Parliament and here in Port Blair the PBMC led by her own party is levying extra taxes on food items. Food items are the costliest in Andamans compared to anywhere in India and charging extra taxes on them is not at all pardonable.
“It seems Gold & Silver has become dearer to the ruling Congress Councillors than food items. But we are concerned about the common man who is living hand to mouth and for him food items are the dearest thing.”
The Party therefore requested the Lt. Governor to intervene in the matter as it concerns common man’s day to day needs.
“We are waiting for your interventions in this regard before making it a public issue and if required challenge it legally”, Marudhavanan added.