CM rules out ST cut

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy on Tuesday  ruled out  cut in sales tax as the state government needed funds for welfare schemes.  He  advised the  leader of the Opposition, Mr  N Chandrababu Naidu to change his 'mindset' on this particular subject.
 
''It is unfortunate that Mr Naidu, who has totally neglected the state-owned Road Transport Corporation, is now talking about protecting RTC. It is the ruling Congress which is responsible for the RTC's turnaround. RTC workers know who took care of the RTC's interests,'' the Chief Minister explained  intervening during the Question Hour after the Opposition members staged separate walkouts.
 
``It was Chandrababu Naidu  who praised the  state chief electoral officer I V Subba Rao for holding free and fair elections during the election time. After the defeat in the polls it was  he who was expressing doubts over the functioning of the Electronic Voting Machines,’’ the Chief Minister revealed .
 
``The Government needed funds to implement the ongoing welfare schemes including Rajiv Aarogyasree and Rs two per kg-rice scheme,’’ the CM pointed out. He further added saying  that  the TDP had aligned with major parties and made ''all free'' promises and even distributed fake ATM cards.
 
The CM justified  the  reduction in tax on aviation turbine fuel  just in order to make the international airport at Shamshabad  viable.  Dr Reddy reminded the opposition leaders  saying that the  sales tax on diesel here in AP is the lowest in the country.
 
The government had reduced the sales tax on cooking gas from 12 per cent to four per cent thereby benefitting one crore people and absorbing the entire hike of Rs 50 effected by the Centre on gas price earlier, he further added.
 
Earlier, Civil Supplies Minister J Krishna Rao ruled out reduction in sales tax, contending the tax on diesel was only 22.25 per cent in Andhra Pradesh as against 25 per cent in Karnataka, 23 per cent in Mahrashtra, 24 per cent in Gujarat and 24.94 per cent in Kerala.