BJP opposed any increase in fuel prices and asked the UPA Government to cut various duties imposed on petroleum products rather than putting the burden on consumers.
NEW DELHI: BJP on Monday opposed any increase in fuel prices and asked the UPA Government to cut various duties imposed on petroleum products rather than putting the burden on consumers.
"The Central Government must adopt the policy of revenue neutralisation as suggested by the Expenditure Finance Commission before effecting a fuel price hike," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar demanded.
The Government's revenue earnings from the petroleum sector this year was about Rs 1,40,000 crore, double from Rs 70,000 crore in 2004, and it should not profit more from the escalation of prices in the international market, he said.
"The people are being looted by the Government," he alleged while noting that Indian consumers pay the highest petrol prices in the world if compared on a purchasing power parity index.
He said the UPA Government has ignored the suggestions of the Commission which guarantees definite revenue through flexible duty structure and that of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on petroleum ministry just to earn more revenue.
"The Government should first decide how much revenue it want to earn from the Petroleum sector.... The Government is now selling the product worth Rs 25 at Rs 50," he told here.
Javadekar said luxury tax should not be imposed on petroleum products as it was used by common man.
He also slammed the Government for "dragging its feet" on implementing blending of ethanol with petrol, a decision taken by it some four months ago.
"Government has developed cold feet under pressure from liquor and petroleum import lobbies," he alleged.
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