BJP demands rollback of petrol price raise

BJP today demanded rollback of the increase in petrol prices, saying the seventh hike in the last six months was totally unjustified and loot of the common man.

"This hike is totally unjustified. This is nothing but loot of the common man by the government. A product which costs Rs30 is being sold at Rs60, which is a 100% taxation. We call for its rollback," BJP  spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

He said the ground of under-recovery by the oil companies cited by the government as the reason for the hike is not true.

"This is the seventh hike in the last six months. Only last month there was an increase of Rs3 per litre.... oil companies are earning profits and giving dividends while still showing under-recovery," Javadekar said.

He expressed fear that now even diesel prices may go up.

State-owned oil companies today raised petrol prices by Rs2.50 to 2.54 per litre citing international crude oil prices, which climbed to US$92 per barrel.

"Food inflation is at 18% while inflation is at 9%. This is the worst gift that a government can give to the people in New Year," Javadekar said.