Congress leader Randeep Surjewala accuses the Centre of burdening citizens with steep increases in petrol, diesel, LPG and CNG prices
Bengaluru: The Congress on May 25, sharply criticised the BJP-led Union government over the recent surge in fuel prices, alleging that repeated hikes in petrol, diesel, LPG and CNG rates have placed an unbearable burden on ordinary citizens.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala described the recent increases as “fuel tax terror” and accused the Centre of “economic mismanagement”.
“Within just 11 days, petrol and diesel prices were raised four times. The government has collected an additional Rs 7.52 per litre from the public,” Surjewala claimed.
He alleged that the government had extracted nearly Rs 43 lakh crore from citizens over the past 12 years through high fuel taxes. “This government is collecting nearly Rs 1,000 crore every day from common people,” he said.
Surjewala also questioned the sharp rise in LPG and CNG prices, pointing out that a domestic gas cylinder that cost Rs 412 in 2014 now costs over Rs 915. He further claimed that CNG prices had crossed Rs 90 per kg for the first time.
Comparing the present situation with the UPA era, the Congress leader argued that fuel prices remained lower even when global crude oil rates were significantly higher.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar also demanded an immediate rollback of the revised fuel prices and warned of protests if corrective measures were not taken.
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