INDIA
BJP said Opposition's stance reeks of hypocrisy, alleged that for every litre of petrol, opposition-ruled states were earning twice as much as BJP.
The Opposition on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of playing politics during his meeting with chief ministers on the Covid situation by raising the issue of fuel prices and "passing the buck" on to states to reduce prices of petrol and diesel. As the prime minister's remark triggered a war of words, the BJP said the Opposition's stance reeks of hypocrisy and alleged that for every litre of petrol, opposition-ruled states were earning twice as much as the BJP-ruled states.
Flagging higher fuel prices in many opposition-ruled states, Modi had urged them to reduce VAT in "national interest" to benefit the common man and work in the spirit of cooperative federalism in this time of global crisis. Modi raised the issue of many states not adhering to the Centre's call for reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel after his government slashed excise duties on them in November last, and called it "injustice" to people living there and also harmful for neighbouring states.
Reacting to Modi's remarks at the meet, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the interaction with him was completely one-sided and misleading. "Facts shared by him were wrong. We have been providing a subsidy of Re 1 on every litre of petrol and diesel for the last three years. We've spent Rs 1,500 crore on this," Banerjee told reporters in Kolkata. She claimed there was no scope for the chief ministers to speak at the meeting and hence, they could not counter the prime minister's statement. "It would have been better had the PM not spoken on fuel price hike in a COVID-19 review meeting, it was his agenda," she said.
READ | Covid 4th wave: Delhi logs 1367 new cases, one death with positivity rate at 4.50 percent
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said the Centre owed Rs 26,500 crore to the state, after Prime Minister Modi said some states did not reduce VAT on petrol and diesel despite the excise duty cut by the Union government in November last year. Thackeray also accused the Centre of a step-motherly treatment to Maharashtra and that the state government was not responsible for the rise in prices of petrol and diesel.
Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal said the increase in petrol and diesel rates was due to the cess and surcharge levied by the Centre. He said Kerala has not increased taxes on petroleum products in the last six years. When the state government has not increased taxes on petrol or diesel by even one rupee in the last six years, then how can it be asked to reduce taxes, Balagopal asked.
He said that cess and surcharge are to be levied only in special circumstances like natural calamities, pandemic, etc. And for a specific period like six months or a year.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala attacked Modi, demanding that he give an account of the Rs 27 lakh crore "collected" by the BJP government from tax on petrol and diesel. "Modi ji, No criticism, No distractions, No Jumlas! Please give an account of 27,00,00,00,00,00,00 (27 Lakh Crore) collected by BJP Govt from Tax on Petrol & Diesel," Surjewala said. He said that on May 26, 2014, when PM Modi assumed charge, crude oil was USD 108 per barrel, but petrol and diesel were priced at Rs 71.41 and Rs 55.49 per litre, while today, crude oil is USD 100.20 per barrel, but the petrol and diesel prices have been increased to Rs 105.41/litre and Rs 96.67/litre respectively in Delhi.
READ | 'Muhammadpur' is now 'Madhavpuram': Delhi BJP chief erects board
"We will urge all states to decrease VAT on Petrol/Diesel to pre-May 2014 level. Please admit BJP Govt earned Rs 27 Lakh Crore from Petrol/Diesel while all states collectively received about 16.5 Lakh Crore. Central Govt revenue from Petrol/Diesel has doubled in 8 years," he said in a series of tweets. Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also slammed the prime minister, alleging that he made the "COVID meeting about politics". "The central government has earned 26 lakh Crore out of central excise on fuel, increased 18 times even when oil prices hit rock bottom. The GST share to states still owed, compensation component to state done away with and now pointing fingers," she tweeted.
Attacking the Opposition, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the chief ministers of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Jharkhand "reek of hypocrisy" as their respective parties nonchalantly go on demanding a decrease in the fuel prices but when the ball is in their court, they charge high state tax on fuel to amplify the problems of common people. He also shared a graphic on Twitter comparing the local taxes levied by BJP-ruled states to the Opposition-ruled states, with the caption: "For every litre of petrol, opposition-ruled states were earning twice of BJP-ruled states."
READ | Uttar Pradesh: 7 people arrested in Noida Garden Galleria murder case
Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Puri tweeted, "Invoking the spirit of cooperative federalism, PM Modi Ji hits the nail on its head. Instead of protesting, the opposition states which have not decreased taxes on petrol & diesel, even after centre reduced excise on such products, should do it now & offer relief to citizens." Hitting out at the Modi government, TRS leader K T Rama Rao said fuel prices have shot up because of "NPA Central govt". "Name-calling states for not reducing VAT even though we never increased it; is this the co-operative federalism you're talking about @narendramodi ji," he asked on Twitter.
Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said after collecting Rs 26 lakh crore via taxes, after raising excise duty by 531 per cent on petrol and 206 per cent on diesel, despite having 68 per cent in fuel taxes and not sharing single rupee of profit, "PM is asking states to reduce VAT and pass benefits to Janta". "Classic BJP theory 'Profit is Mine & Loss is Yours'," he tweeted. "Does CM Modi, who solely and entirely blamed UPA Central Govt for fuel hike, agree with PM Modi who now is conveniently & mischievously passing buck to states for reducing fuel prices? Nation wants CM Modi to wake up PM Modi!!" Shergill said.
READ | WhatsApp to offer cashback rewards to boost peer transfers, merchant payments in India
DNA TV Show: Conflicting data on Delhi station stampede reveals communication gap
WATCH: Baba Ramdev at 59 takes part in race with horse, netizens say 'Olympics me chalo'
Delhi woman turns auto driver to support daughter, her story goes viral
Viral video declares Rajat Patidar ‘Captain of Captains’ after RCB names him Skipper, here's why
Indian Army havildar loses teen son, saves others’ lives by...
WPL 2025: Smriti Mandhana creates history during RCB vs DC match, becomes first player to cross...
Ronit Roy says he was the first choice for Pardes but he was replaced by...because...
‘Papa killed mummy': 4-year-old's drawing creates suspicion over woman’s alleged suicide
Sunil Mittal gets Rs 8486 crore after selling....; still seeks funds for newer...
How a low cost floor cleaning robot revolutinising home automation – Check details
Harvard Alum Aayush Puri: Move back to India, the future is here
Vicky Kaushal reveals how his fight scene with lion in Chhaava was shot: 'We were all so...'
Shabana Azmi holds her ears, issues public apology to Dabba Cartel co-star Jyotika; here's why
Meet Arvind Kejriwal’s daughter, who cracked IIT-JEE Advanced, went to IIT Delhi, now working as...
'Kohli never said a word': Pakistan's Haris Rauf on Virat Kohli hitting sixes against him in...
Bengaluru to witness hottest summer says IMD, recorded season’s highest temperature at...
Ranveer Singh to venture in production amid box office slump? Here's the truth
Where to Buy Testosterone in the USA? Top 3 Best Brands of Testosterone Cypionate in 2025
Pregnant woman employee gets Rs 1 crore compensation after being fired through...
ELECRAMA 2025: Powering the Future of Energy
Steroids for Sale in the USA: Buy Steroids Online in 2025
How to Choose Trenbolone for Sale Online? Review of Popular Trenbolone Manufacturers
After disrupting Indian market, Mukesh Ambani takes THIS popular brand to...
Remedium Lifecare Lands Rs 182 Crore Multi-Year Contract: Stock Set for Major Upturn
Former ISRO chief AS Kiran Kumar visits Goenka Temple, expresses hope for successful Mars mission
Anil Ambani's Rs 9831 crore company set to enter NEW space, makes key...
347 rooms, Rs 22400 crore worth: India's most expensive wedding venue is located in...
Vladimir Putin's BIG warning to Ukraine, will negotiate only if...
Woman constable carries baby on duty, RPSF says, 'she serves, she...', video goes viral
'Caught Red-Handed': Cognizant accuses Narayana Murthy's Infosys of stealing THIS secret in...
'Bharat Jodo Vivah': Wedding invite of Jammu's daughter, Kerala's son wows internet
Pavitra Rishta fame Usha Nadkarni cries inconsolably as she remembers her brother's death, watch
MASSIVE discount on Apple iPhone 16, iPhone 15, check here how to grab this deal
Juhi Chawla takes holy dip at Mahakumbh 2025, calls it 'most beautiful morning in her life'
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato launches first AI product ‘Nugget,’ says will give it for free to…
Champions Trophy 2025: 5 major records that Virat Kohli can break in this tournament
Shweta Basu Prasad says she was bullied on Telugu film set: 'I was called...'
Gujarat: Lion brings traffic to a halt at Bhavnagar-Somnath highway, watch viral video
India's Got Latent row: SC grants interim relief from arrest to Ranveer Allahbadia
Tesla begins hiring in India after PM Modi-Musk meet, announces multiple job roles in...
Gurugram woman shares interview experience at Zomato, CEO Deepinder Goyal reacts, says...
'Sir ek kiss ho jaye': Paps unleash a horror welcome on Udit Narayan
Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt REUNITE for Hollywood thriller, filming begins in Saudi Arabia: Report
Gujarat: Videos of women patients leaked on Telegram, YouTube, probe ordered
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron found dead at home, cause of death revealed
Canada: Delta Airlines plane crashes at Toronto Pearson airport, flips upside down, several injured
Meet Gyanesh Kumar, IIT graduate, who becomes new Chief Election Commissioner
DNA TV Show: RSS' Bihar model ahead of Assembly elections in state
WPL 2025: Renuka, Wareham spark collapse as RCB bowl out Delhi Capitals for 141