Nation paying ‘Modi tax’: Congress on rising petrol, diesel prices

Congress launched a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi-led central government over the rising petrol and diesel prices. Lambasting the Centre over the increasing fuel prices, Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the countrymen are paying the ‘Modi tax’ in the form of excise tax.

While addressing a press conference, the Congress leader has alleged that in the last over six years the government has earned more than Rs 20 lakh crore through taxes even as a common man suffers.

“We demand an immediate withdrawal of this additional Modi Tax imposed over the last 6.8 years. This in itself will reduce petrol price to Rs 61.92 per litre and diesel price to Rs 47.51 per litre. Every common Indian deserves this relief immediately," Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said in a press conference.

Pawan Khera claimed that if the government rolls back the excise duty, the petrol price would come down to Rs 61.92 per litre and Diesel price to Rs 47.51 per litre.

Fuel prices were hiked for the eighth day today in a row as a rally in international oil prices took retail rates in India to new highs. The petrol price in Delhi was hiked by 30 paise reaching Rs 89.29 per litre as compared to Rs 88.99 per litre on February 15, according to state-owned fuel retailers.

Diesel price in the national capital also touched a new high at Rs 79.70, increasing 35 paise from the previous day.