'Economically anti-national to fleece crores by raising fuel taxes'

Congress hit out at the BJP for raising taxes on petrol and diesel and called the move "economically anti-national". Last month, benchmark Brent crude oil dropped to as low as USD 18.10 per barrel - the lowest since 1999, as coronavirus wiped away demand, creating large surpluses around the globe.

New Delhi: As the Union government increased the excise duty on petrol by Rs 10 per litre and on diesel by Rs 13 per litre, at a time when the global oil prices are extremely low, Congress called the decision "economically anti-national" by accusing Center of "fleecing" Rs 1.40 crores annually from people.

During a press conference, Congress chief spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala said, "Despite the fact that entire nation is fighting against coronavirus pandemic as well as an economic crisis, this draconian government is fleecing money from 130 crore Indians by raising insurmountable taxes on petrol and diesel. It is an absolute economically anti-national decision."

While mentioning the prior decision of BJP government to increase excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre, on March 14, which lead to a recent hike in the prices , Surjewala claimed, "This increase by itself will lead to recovery of Rs 1 lakh 40 thousand crore annually from Indian citizens. Will anybody explain the logic and rational behind this decision if the global oil prices are so low?"

He stated that when the oil basket for petroleum companies is $23.38 per barrel, which means it's current cost is ₹11.14 per litre, still the centre is selling petrol at ₹71.26 and diesel at ₹69.39.

He said, "In five and half years of his being in power PM Modi has increased tax on diesel by ₹28.17 per litre and on petrol by ₹23.50 per litre. We want to know, who is profiteering from this unsurmountable and inhuman taxation?"

He further added, "Between 2014-15 and up till the year 2019-20, in a period of 6 years, BJP-led Union government has increased taxes on petrol and diesel 12 times and collected ₹17 lakh crores. Where has this money gone? we ask PM Modi to come forward and these questions."

Surjewala informed the media that this concern was also raised by Chief Ministers of Congress ruled governments during today's meeting with party chief Sonia Gandhi, in which they have suggested that the Central government should provide 75-80% of this collection to the states to ensure that there is no for the burden on people of India during the COVID-19 crisis.