Congress questions Govt for refusing to buy crude oil at cheaper prices

The Congress party has sought an explanation from the central government on the latter's decision of not buying crude oil at much cheaper rates, even when the country has enough storage capacity.

New Delhi: As the world economy continues its downfall due to Coronavirus pandemic, the international crude oil prices went negative for the first time in history on Monday. However, it is not going to affect Indian prices of fuel, over which Congress raised questions to the Central Government, to explain its decision of not buying crude oil at much cheaper rates, even when the country has enough storage capacity.

While briefing the media, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said, "Last night was a historical moment of unprecedented fall of the crude oil prices on. The manufacturing units do not have the storage capacity that is why they are not selling it but giving it with money."

He raised a question to the Government, "India is the tenth-largest oil importer from the US after it was banned from importing oil from Iran. Even when we have the storage capacity, why did we refuse to buy oil when the price has fallen so low internationally?"

Congress also accused the Government of profiteering from low crude oil prices and not fulfilling its obligation of passing on the benefits to the consumers, when the country is in the grip of COVID-19 pandemic.

Pawan Khera explained, "Government of India has increased the excise duty 12 times in the last 6 years. Hence, the Center has mailed a profit of ₹20 lakh crores, owing to the excise duty as well as the fall in international oil prices. Why hasn't the Government transferred some part of the profit to the end-users and consumers?"

Earlier also, Congress raised the same demands when Center increased the excise duty, despite a downfall in international crude oil prices. The Congress spokesperson asserted that the benefits should be given to farmers and transporters specifically, to restore the smooth functioning of the supply chain during the nationwide lockdown.

He also condemned the decision of Union Government for preparing sanitizers from surplus rice. He said, "We are witnessing the plight of migrant labours who lack the adequate number of food grains. There has been a demand to universalize the PDS, because of the urgency of the situation. In a scenario like this, the Government announced that surplus rice will be used to make sanitizers, it's a cruel joke."

Earlier today, Congress leader also tweeted over the matter, saying, "When will the poor of India wake up? You are dying of hunger and they are engaged in cleaning the hands of rich by making sanitizers from your portion of rice."