Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar slammed that Centre has no moral right to ask States to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel. Telanagana CM has demanded the Centre to remove the cess on the petroleum products.

Chandrashekhar also criticized the Centre for discouraging the farmers not to grow paddy cultivation in Rabi season. KCR said that Centre is not willing to procure paddy from state.

Our government has not increased the VAT, thus reduction of petroleum products does not arise, he said and added that Centre must withdraw the cess on petrol and diesel.

"We have not hiked VAT. We have not increased even a paisa so the question of reduction does not arise. Ever since the TRS government was formed, VAT has not been increased. Which fool will ask us to decrease (VAT)? The fool who increased it will have to reduce it," KCR said.

"I am demanding the government of India to remove the total cess levied on petrol and diesel. It is possible and it is for benefit of the country. Because without any increase in crude oil prices in international market, the government has unnecessarily levied the cess on petrol and diesel, burdening the poor and middle-class people. Now, if the government is sincere towards the poor people of the country, it should withdraw the total cess...," KCR demanded.

"We will raise the issue (paddy procurement) in Parliament. We will also hold dharnas in districts. And if need arises MPs, MLAs, MLCs from Telangana, including Chief Minister, will hold dharna in Delhi," KCR said.