Launching a scathing attack on Centre for the steady rise in the prices of petrol and diesel, the Congress demanded an immediate reduction in excise duty and called for petroleum products to be brought under the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, at a press conference, claimed that petrol has seen an increase in excise duty to the tune of 212% and diesel a 433% hike since the BJP came to power in May 2014.
“Post May 26, 2014, international crude oil prices have come down by more than 30%. But Modi government earned a windfall of ₹9.95 lakh crore by levying central taxes on petrol and diesel till December 2017. It is over ₹10 lakh crore now. Where has the money gone?” asked Mr. Khera.
“As soon as the Karnataka elections were over, the government revealed its true colours as the daily fuel price hike resumed,” he added. The Delhi unit of the Congress also took out a cycle rally to register their protest.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the fuel prices were perhaps the highest since Independence.
“Finance Ministry officials have said we have not yet reached the level of international oil prices to reduce the excise duty. In other words it means that excise duty will not be reduced — probably it will be increased further,” said Mr. Yechury.
