PM Modi tells non-BJP ruled states: Cut state levies on petrol, give people respite
Flagging the issue of high prices of petrol and diesel, PM Modi said the Centre had reduced excise duty to reduce the burden of prices of petrol and diesel on the people last November. He said the Centre had urged states to reduce taxes and transfer the benefit to the citizens.
FollowPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday appealed to non-Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states to cut state levies on petroleum prices so that consumers could get much-needed respite. Prime Minister Modi listed the stark difference in the prices of fuel across the country because some states are yet to reduce taxes. He read out comparative data between BJP and non-BJP ruled states.Â
He said, "In Tamil Nadu's capital Chennai, the cost of petrol around Rs 111 (per litre). In Jaipur, it costs over Rs 118 per litre. In Hyderabad, the rate is over Rs 119 per litre. In Kolkata, it costs over Rs 115 per litre. In Mumbai, it costs over Rs 120 per litre. However, Daman and Diu -- in Mumbai's neighbourhood -- costs Rs 102 per litre. Rs 115 in Kolkata, but in Lucknow, it costs Rs 105. In Jammu, it costs Rs 106. I request you (the chief ministers) to cooperate and cut state levies on petroleum prices so that prices could be brought down."
Later BJP National Executive Member Amit Malviya took to Twitter to claim that Maharashtra, Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan figured prominently among the states that did not reduce state taxes on fuel. "Their CMs owe an explanation to the people for not reducing taxes and bleeding them profusely while India was navigating the global turbulence," he said.
"They are busy profiteering and playing politics even during the pandemic, while consumer suffers," he added and shared how much cess is being collected by some state governments.
To recall, the central government had reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 10 respectively in November last year. Following the decision taken by the Centre, at least 25 states and Union Territories had reduced VAT on petrol and diesel to give relief to consumers. Most of them were ruled by BJP or their allies.
