Chennai: “When people are already struggling just to buy rice, why is the TVK government giving tax concessions on aviation fuel? Is this government and power for the people? Or for private capitalists?” asked Seeman, the chief coordinator of the Naam Tamilar Katchi.
In a statement he issued on this, he said, “At a time when poor, ordinary, and middle-class people are struggling to make ends meet every day due to the rising prices of essential commodities including rice, the Tamil Nadu government’s prioritizing of reducing tax on aviation fuel is highly condemnable.
Within 5 months of the TVK government coming to power, due to extremely poor administration, the prices of essential goods have multiplied, placing the people of Tamil Nadu under severe financial strain. In particular, the price of rice alone has risen by as much as 500 rupees per sack. From pulses to edible oils, the prices of everything have risen sharply, and people are suffering.
The incapable TVK government, instead of fixing all that, has reduced the tax on aviation fuel at Chennai airport from 29 percent to 16 percent, and the tax on certain flight services at other airports from 29 percent to 1 percent.
Chief Minister Vijay, who is showing such urgency to reduce the expenses of airlines, what steps has he taken to reduce the prices of essential goods that people use every day? TVK announced that Sannarak rice is being sold at Rs. 30 per kg in Amudham and cooperative stores.
However, people allege that rice of even poorer quality is being given in the name of low price. Why is the government, which should ensure that quality rice is available at a price working people can afford, being so indifferent in meeting their food needs?
Other than the Chief Minister’s change of coat-suit attire, what change has the TVK government brought about in Tamil Nadu? Has it reduced people to such a miserable state that they struggle even to buy rice? Or is the change that TVK functionaries themselves are committing sexual violence and selling drugs?
When people are struggling to buy rice, lentils, and oil, is reducing airfare the government’s primary task? If so, who is this government for? Who is this administration for? Is it for the millions who earn their living through daily labor? Or is it for private capitalists who run airlines with investments worth tens of thousands of crores?
The government says it is improving air transport, but shouldn’t it show the same concern in meeting people’s basic food needs? Economic growth is not about how many planes fly in Tamil Nadu in a day; it is about how many families in Tamil Nadu can eat good food three times a day without borrowing money.
Has the tax burden of airlines become greater than the hunger of the people for the TVK government? It is shameful that the government views food subsidies given to the people as an expense, while seeing tax concessions given to companies as an investment for growth. The government’s primary duty is to relieve people’s hunger and protect their purchasing power.
Therefore, I urge the Tamil Nadu government to swiftly take constructive action to control the rise in prices of essential commodities in order to protect the poor and ordinary people. Show the same concern in reducing the travel costs of those who fly in the sky as you do in reducing the food expenses of those who toil on the ground,” he said.