Nation paying 'Modi Tax': Congress slams govt over fuel price hike

Congress party, on Tuesday, launched a scathing attack on BJP-led Central Government over the rising prices of petrol and diesel, alleging that it is working for just a handful of corporates whose price is being paid by the common people of the country.

New Delhi: Attacking BJP-led Central government over the rise of petrol and diesel price, the Congress party alleged on Tuesday that it is working for just a handful of corporates whose price is being paid by the common people of the country.

Terming the excise duty on petrol and diesel prices as "Modi Tax", Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged, "Over the last six years and eight months, the Government has earned over 20 lakh crores by imposing additional excise duty in petrol and diesel. In May 2014, the International Crude Oil Price was $108 per barrel and Petrol was selling at Rs 71.51 per litre in Delhi while diesel was selling at Rs 57.28 per litre in Delhi."

"The International Crude Oil Prices as of February 1, 2021, was $54.41 per barrel and yet as of today, the price of petrol is Rs 89.29 per litre in Delhi whereas Diesel is selling at Rs 79.70 per litre in Delhi. Over the last 6 years, the additional excise burden- 'Modi Tax' on the common consumer has been increased by Rs 23.78 per litre on petrol and Rs 28.37 per litre on Diesel, which is 820 per cent on Diesel and 258 per cent on petrol," he further added.

Accusing the Government of "looting" Rs 20 lakh crores from the consumers, Pawan Khera asked, "Do we see the result of government spending to the tune of Rs 20 lakh crore on any sector whether it is agriculture, MSME or for our Government employees? Is it criminal and wilful negligence by the government or gross mismanagement? Why should common Indian pay the price for a government which is only working for a handful of corporates?"

Congress claimed that if the Government withdraws the additional excise duty, then it will reduce the petrol price to Rs 61.92 per litre and Diesel to Rs 47.51 per litre.

The opposition party also accused the BJP Government of diverting the attention of the nation by the use of hatred and fear-mongering through "manufactured controversies" to hide their shortcomings.

"Ever since 2014, BJP ecosystem has always tried to cheap people emotionally occupied. They do this to keep us blinded by overwhelming emotions. They do not want us to see the impact of their bad governance on our lives and livelihoods. However, there is one emotion- Suffering, that united every single Indian irrespective of caste, language, religion," Khera stated.