Mizo Opposition Party Youth

Aizawl, May 31 : The youth wings of three major opposition parties in Mizoram have set June 15 as the deadline for chief minister Lal Thanhawla to roll back the recent hike in sales tax imposed by the Congress government in the state.

On Monday, youth leaders of the Mizo National Front (MNF), the Mizoram People's Conference (MPC) and the Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) threatened to launch a united tirade against the state government if it did not meet their demand.

MNF youth wing president Lalruatkima said at Rs 64.70 a litre, people in Aizawl have to pay more for petrol than their counterparts in New Delhi.

"The price of petrol in Mizoram is second highest in the region, only next to Assam.

The common people of Mizoram will suffer a lot because the prices of essential commodities will go up in the wake of the rise in petroleum produc prices," he added.

The rates of local sales tax were hiked on petroleum products from May 20, a week after Indian Oil Corporation increased petrol price by Rs 5 a litre.

"While the Centre refrained from further hike in petroleum prices to avoid public wrath, it is extremely unfortunate that the state government increased the rates at alarming rates," Lalruatkima said.

On the other hand, the Mizoram Road Transport Union, an umbrella organization of vehicle owners and drivers, and the Zoram Taxi Drivers` Association also criticized the government for "steep rise" in local sales tax rates on petroleum products.