Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday came down heavily on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for putting an unprecedented burden on the common man and farmers by repeatedly increasing VAT on Petrol and Diesel.

He also expressed his dismay over the latest hike which has made petrol and diesel among the costliest in the region.

Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the arbitrary increase, Badal said instead of causing misery to the common man, the government should save money by putting the brakes on its multi-hundred crore advertising spend.

“There won’t be any need to raise additional resources as is being asserted by the AAP government if it ends its reckless advertisements as well as publicity gimmicks”.

Badal, who attended the bhog ceremony of senior leader Harmeet Singh Sandhu’s father Surjit Singh Sandhu in Tarn Taran, said the AAP government’s 300 units of free power came at the cost of social welfare benefits.

He pointed out that several social security schemes like Old Age Pension Scheme, Aata-Daal Scheme, Shagun Scheme, and SC Scholarship Scheme have been withdrawn.

It has also put an end to the free cycles for girls’ scheme, Teerath Yatra scheme, free utensils scheme, gyms as well as Suvidha Kendras and Sewa Kendras.

"Now, the state government has raised VAT on petrol and diesel. This only shows the duplicitous nature of this government which is taxing the people above and beyond the benefits extended to them.

It is a true case of giving with one hand and taking back with two,” he asserted.

(With UNI inputs)