Ten types of cess levied under Cong rule: Bindal

BJP state president Rajeev Bindal today said that the state government had been harassing people for the past three years while Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government was working to provide relief to them.

Bindal, while addressing a press conference here, said that the Congress government had levied around 10 types of cess on people and now even the space to display various cess on electricity bills had become insufficient.

He claimed, “Since the Congress came to power in the state, its government has increased Value Added Tax (VAT) on diesel by Rs 7.50, putting a burden of Rs 10,000 crore on people. It raised Additional Goods Tax on cement from Rs 7.50 to Rs 16, effected a sharp hike in water bills, increased stamp duty, imposed a flat charge of Rs 100 per month on rural water supply, raised electricity bills by 46 per cent and introduced a Rs 10 fee on hospital slips. On the other hand, the Central Government, through major Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, provided relief to the tune of Rs 2 lakh crore to people.”

He said that in 2014, India had 1,000 startups but now it had 1.6 lakh and each startup was providing employment to about 40 people. “Earlier, 98 per cent of mobile phones were imported and now 98 per cent phones, including Apple’s iPhone, are manufactured in India. Similarly, in the defence sector, exports have risen from Rs 686 crore to Rs 23,622 crore. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has become the fourth largest economy.

He claimed that today, India was making remarkable progress in destination weddings, domestic tourism, cultural heritage, yoga and astronomy. “This has been possible only because the Prime Minister delivers what he promises and translates his vision into reality,” added Bindal.

Later, Bindal announced the list of districts presidents of the BJP Yuva Morcha, Mahila Morcha, Kisan Morcha, ST Morcha and the OBC Morcha.