CM turns heat on Centre over rise in petrol price
JAIPUR Chief minister Ashok Gehlot attacked the Centre on Saturday over rising fuel prices, saying the common man is suffering because of “wrong” economic policies.
The price of premium petrol has crossed ₹100 in 19 districts of Rajasthan, according fuel rates shown by dealers’ associations.
The 19 districts are Alwar, Sri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Sawai Madhopur,
Banswara, Dungarpur, Sikar, Pali, Udaipur, Churu, Pratapgarh, Kota, Karauli, Rajsamand, Jhunjhunu, Jalore, Sirohi and Barmer.
Sri Ganganagar recorded the highest rate of premium petrol at ₹103.59 per litre followed by Hanumangarh at ₹102.95 per litre.
Gehlot said in social media posts that rising prices of petrol have affected people.
“Prices have been increasing continuously for the last 11 days. This is the result of wrong economic policies of the central government. Crude oil prices in the international market are currently half of what it used to be during the UPA rule, but petroldiesel prices have reached an alltime high,” he said.
Gehlot said the Centre imposes excise duty of ₹32.90 on petrol and ₹31.80 per liter on diesel. “During the UPA government in 2014, there was an excise duty of only ₹9.20 on petrol and just ₹3.46 on diesel. The Modi government should reduce excise duty in the interest of the public without delay,” he said.
“Due to Covid, the state’s economy has been badly affected and the state’s revenue has decreased. But to give relief to the common people, the state government has reduced VAT by 2% in the last month itself. Instead of giving any such relief, the Modi government is increasing the prices of petrol and diesel every day,” the CM said
He further said that some people spread the rumour that the Rajasthan government has imposed the highest tax on petrol, so the prices are high in the state. “Petrol in Bjp-ruled Madhya Pradesh is taxed more than Rajasthan, so the price of petrol in Jaipur is less than Bhopal.”
State BJP chief spokesperson Ramlal Sharma said, “Rajasthan has highest VAT (value-added tax) and the state government should reduce it and give relief to common people. Madhya Pradesh is behind Rajasthan in terms of charging different types of duties. The CM is blaming the Centre for the failure of the state government.”