Bring diesel, petrol under GST and cut central excise duty, says Cong
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Selja Kumari on Sunday demanded an “immediate” reduction in central excise duty and value added tax (VAT), and that petrol and diesel be brought under the GST purview.
Addressing reporters at the state Congress office, a day before the party has called Bharat bandh to protest the rise in fuel prices, Selja alleged that due to “heavy tax” imposed on petrol, diesel and domestic gas, the prices are skyrocketing.
“The NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in last 52 months has earned a profit of Rs 11 lakh crore from tax imposed on petrol and diesel,” she said, adding that the common man, farmer, transporter and small trader is suffering due to the highest ever prices in history.
On May 16, 2014, the price of crude oil in international market was $107.09 per barrel, which today is $73 per barrel, which is around 40% less than what it was during the regime of Congressled UPA government, she said, adding that the BJP government after coming to power at the centre has increased the central excise duty 12 times.
“The only thing which is rising in this government’s tenure is inflation and fuel prices. The increasing prices of products have disturbed the budget of every household. The people of the country will not forgive Modi government for the fuel loot and give a fitting reply in the upcoming elections,” she said.
Talking about the party’s Bharat Bandh call on September 10, Selja said “Our call of Bharat Bandh on Monday will be peaceful and raise people’s issues. Congress government after coming to power will reduce VAT on petrol and diesel, if required,” she said.
She said a 14.2 kg domestic gas cylinder without subsidy cost ₹414 in May 2014, which on September 6, 2018, has reached to ₹754, an increase of ₹340 per cylinder in 52 months of Modi government. Similarly, the rate of a subsidised cylinder was ₹412 per cylinder in May 2017, which increased to ₹496 in September 2018. “Congress president Rahul Gandhi time and again has demanded to bring prices of petrol and diesel under GST to offer the much-needed relief to common man,” Selja said.
The prices of petrol in Delhi and Mumbai were ₹78 and ₹86 per litre and that of diesel were ₹70 and ₹75 per litre. “An RTI reply reveals that Modi government is selling petrol at ₹34 per litre and diesel at ₹37 per litre to 15 countries, which include England, Australia, America, Malaysia and Israel,” she alleged.
She said milk price has reached to ₹52 per litre, which was ₹40 in the UPA government’s tenure. “Similarly, pulse prices have increased to ₹170 per kg from ₹70 per kg in the UPA’s time; the railway fare, which was ₹6 per km (during the UPA rule) is more than ₹9 per km and platform ticket price has increased to ₹20 from ₹3.”
Selja, who is also the Rajasthan Congress Screening Committee chairperson, showed some video clips in which BJP leaders including Modi are tryig to corner the then UPA government over fuel prices and inflation.
Countering Congress’ allegations, BJP state spokesperson Rajendra Gehlot said, “Congress is misguiding people by presenting wrong figures. People are not with them and their call for Bharat Bandh will fail. The government is taking measures to deal with the situation arisen due to international market in oil sector. All efforts are being made to ensure that people get fuel on right prices.”
JAIPUR:
CONG CALLS FOR BHARAT BANDH TODAY
The Congress has called for Bharat Bandh on September 10 against the rise in fuel prices. In Rajasthan, the party workers and leaders will stage protests outside petrol pumps in their areas from 9am to 3pm, stated an official statement. Keeping in view the bandh call, the state police department has asked the commissioners and superintendents of police in Rajasthan to keep a strict vigil in their areas.