Modi govt indulging in profiteering from high fuel prices, says Sonia Gandhi; demands reduction in excise duty

Amid a national outcry against the increasing prices of fuel, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday urged the Modi government to lower the excise duty on diesel and petrol.

In a statement issued by her, Sonia Gandhi said that while farmers have been forced to dig in their heels for the last 44 days in Delhi, the Modi govt has used the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to amass wealth.

“The dictatorial, insensitive and heartless BJP government is hell bent on breaking the backbone of the poor, farmers and middle class. Despite the fact that the economy has been destroyed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the Modi government is busy amassing wealth,” she said.

Pointing out that the hike in fuel prices was the highest in the last 73 years, Sonia said that instead of passing on benefits of low crude oil prices to consumers, the Modi government was indulging in profiteering.

Demanding relief for the people, Sonia asked the Modi govt to reduce the taxes levied on petro-products. She also reiterated that the three farm laws be repealed.

News agency PTI reported that petrol price on Thursday went to an all-time high of Rs 84.20 per litre in the national capital after state-owned fuel retailers hiked prices for the second day in a row.

The price of petrol was hiked on Thursday by 23 paise per litre and diesel by 26 paise a litre, according to a price notification from oil marketing companies, reported PTI.

In Delhi, petrol now costs Rs 84.20 per litre and diesel is priced at Rs 74.38. In Mumbai, petrol comes for Rs 90.83 a litre and diesel for Rs 81.07.

This is the highest ever price of petrol in Delhi, while diesel is at a record high in Mumbai.