AIZAWL: Mizoram’s commercial vehicle owners have announced an indefinite strike starting October 14 to protest against the rising fuel prices.
They are demanding a reduction in petrol and diesel prices within the state, an official said on Wednesday.
PC Malsawma, president of the Mizoram Commercial Vehicle Union (MCVU), stated that the ZPM–led government has failed to address their concerns regarding the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices, despite multiple pleas for a reduction.
Notably, the Mizoram government has hiked the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 4 per litre each with effect from September 1.
He said members of the union held a meeting on Monday and decided that all commercial vehicles would cease operation from October 14, following the “failure” of the government to respond to their demand.
“All commercial vehicles will cease operation from 6 am on October 14 as a mark of protest and to press demand for reduction of fuel prices,” he said.
MCVU leaders met twice with Chief Minister Lalduhoma and Taxation Minister Vanlalthlana in September to request a reduction in fuel prices.
“During our meeting with the chief minister, he told us that the matter will be discussed in the cabinet meeting. Later, he informed us that the cabinet decided to continue with the existing prices. So, our repeated demand for reduction of the hiked fuel prices was not met,” Malsawma said.
The price of petrol in the state now stands at Rs 99.24 per litre and diesel at Rs 88.02 per litre, which is the highest in the northeast region.
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The state government increased VAT on petrol from 5.23 percent to 10 percent and on diesel from 16.36 percent to 18 percent.
Taxation Minister Vanlalthlana justified the price hike by stating that the additional revenue would be used for social infrastructure and road maintenance.
