Nagpur: On January 1, 2017, the Union Government led by Bharatiya Janata Party hiked the cost of petrol, diesel and domestic gas cylinder.
The customers from Nagpur city who were visiting Petrol Pumps to refill their vehicles expressed their helplessness and being let-down by the government.
Looting in the name of Service Tax
A customer who was refilling his motorcycle in the Petrol Pump at Baidyanath Square said that the Modi led government is heaping atrocities on the common men. He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should tell the nation what percentage of the Service Tax does he get as kickback, since every time one uses the credit card to buy petrol, he or she is charged an amount of Rs 25 as service tax. Why should they pay Rs 25 more, when we buy in cash we don’t have to be burdened with Rs 25/-.
Another customer claimed that we have no other option left. If we have to ride out vehicles, we have to buy the petrol at whatever cost.
A lady customer claimed that this is a regular practice now. What can the customers and common man do?
A doctor who was sitting in the petrol pump after refilling his vehicle said that this is a political stunt. Whenever, the government is doing well and does not have to appease anyone, they increase the hike the petrol price and whenever they want to appease the masses, they reduce the cost of petrol.
Another old man claimed that the cost of petrol is presently hiked by Rs 1.66. He wanted to know if we can get 44 paise as change. Why don’t do they hike the cost on round figures? The old man also claimed that the government should hike the cost of fuel once a year and make sure that they stick to the cost and not hike and reduce the prices.
Another customer while speaking to Nagpur Today said that when these leaders were in opposition they had claimed that the government is looting and is unsympathetic to the common man whenever the cost of petrol was hiked. Did the concept of international cost of crude oil affecting the cost of petrol and diesel differ then, asked another customer?
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 provides that a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or the supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or deceptive practice, is to be treated as an unfair trade practice and that a consumer can make a complaint to the appropriate consumer forum established under the Act against such unfair trade practices. In this context, the department of Consumer Affairs, Central Government has called for clarification from the Hotel Association of India, which have replied that the service charge is completely discretionary and should a customer be dissatisfied with the dining experience he/she can have it waived off.
By Samuel Gunasekharan
