Meghalaya CM flays fuel price hike

Shillong, Jun 6: The Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) government has directed all the seven district magistrates to ensure that the common man was not affected by the sudden fuel price hike.

''We are aware of the problem and want the deputy commissioners to see that the price of essential commodities are proportionate and do not go beyond the reach of common man,'' Chief Minister Donkupar Roy said here today. Taxation Minister J A Lyngdoh, who also expressed concern at the fuel hike, said he would soon convene a meeting to take stock of the situation.

''We will be meeting to discuss the matter,'' Mr Lyngdoh said.

Dr Roy said the taxation department will analyse steps to be taken to reduce the sales tax and value added tax and if needed the cabinet will meet to examine it.

''This is not the right time to hike the price of fuel. Fuel is important for daily life and if there is increase in the price, this will have a lot of side effects,'' the chief minister said.

UNI