The agitating Meghalaya Joint Action Committee of Commercial Vehicles (MJACCV) on Tuesday demanded further reduction in petrol and diesel prices from the Conrad Sangma-led government, even as it threatened to further intensify their agitation.
Commercial vehicles, including cabs and buses have been off the road in the State from February 3 demanding a rollback of price hike in petrol and diesel. Faced with public criticism, the State Government on Sunday reduced the price of petrol and diesel by Rs. 2 per litre. Unhappy at the “measly” price reduction, members of MJACCV held a sit-in demonstration at Malki ground and demanded further reduction.
“The increase in fuel prices has not only affected the livelihood of the vehicle owners and drivers, but it has also affected the entire society,” MJACCV Chairman, WandonbokJyrwa said. He said the State Government has the power to reduce fuel prices, as it is a state subject. MJACCV said that various vehicle taxes, the COVID-19 cess, can also be done away with. Jyrwa warned that the associations have so far resorted to peaceful agitation, but the State Government seems not receptive to its demand and so they would take stringent action if their demands are not met.
Other members of the association pointed to the increase in vehicle taxes, which has affected the livelihood of several people and put them into economic hardship. On the other hand, the fuel price rise and the subsequent hike has affected mainly the people living in the rural areas as many have not been able to bring their ailing family members to the urban areas for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, due to the strike by the commercial vehicles, the prices of vegetables and some essential commodities in the State Capital are steadily rising as these have not been transported from some of the rural areas of the State.
