Thiruvananthapuram, Saturday, June 25, 2011: State government would consider sales tax exemption on hike in price of diesel and LPG to minimise the burden on the common people after studying the issue, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said today.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of MPs from the state, Chandy said it would be examined how far the state could cope with the situation if the exemption was given.

He regretted that when hike in petrol price was announced last month, the government had immediately given an exemption on sales tax but the response from the Opposition was not positive and they organised two protests.

“Though we are disappointed with this negative response, the state government will take every possible step to ease the burden on people,” Chandy said.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V. Thomas, who was also present, said it would be impracticable to provide both LPG and kerosene at subsidised rates to a single household.

(News agency)