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Oil, VAT, firing to put govt in tight spot

The move to auction marginal oilfields, VAT hike and the Raha shoot out will put the Sarbananda Sonowal government in a fix in the Assam assembly session from Monday.

Congress and AIUDF legislators are set to try to corner the Government on the floor of the House. Congress sources told Assam Times that they would demand a judicial probe into the Raha incident where a protester died in police firing. The target, undoubtedly, is the Chief Minister who is holding the home portfolio.

The Government is set to face a scathing attack from the Opposition for the ongoing move to auction 12 marginal oilfields and for the recent hike in VAT against almost 150 items.

“We won’t allow the House to function if the Government tries to downplay the current issues,” said a Congress legislator.

Another legislator said, “Rs 5 lakh compensation and Government job are not the solution. The main problem is the proposed AIIMS. We don’t understand why the Government has not taken the people of Raha in confidence. Should they hold talks with the agitated people?”

“We will go tougher with the government on the move to auction the marginal oilfield. What forced the government to hasten the process? How the auction will benefit Assam? Sonowal observed that it would increase the employment avenues. See how they have been escaping the responsibility. We won’t allow these to take place,” said an AIUDF legislator.

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