Comments
The hike in natural gas prices by 10 per cent will have a spiralling effect on the prices of CNG, PNG, urea, fertilisers and electricity, the Congress claimed on Monday.
The party termed the rise in fuel prices as unpardonable and said the Narendra Modi government has burnt gaping holes in the pockets of common people.
Spiralling effect
Party spokesman Pawan Khera said the mirage of Achhe Din has been shattered beyond repair.
Non-Subsidised LPG cooking gas cylinder prices have increased by ₹465 since the Modi government has come to power, Khera said and added that it will have a spiralling effect on the prices of many other products.
“This will result in increase in cost to generate electricity, thereby impacting our electricity bills. Couple all this with the ever increasing prices of petrol and diesel, and the decimation of the budgets of the common people is complete,” he told reporters at the AICC headquarters.
‘Subsidy, a jumla’
He said the call for giving up cooking gas subsidies has turned out to be the biggest jumla on both the middle class and poor people.
He said the prices of subsidised gas cylinder have gone up from ₹412 per cylinder (May 2014) to ₹502 (September 2018), which is an increase of ₹90 per cylinder in 52 months of Modi government.
‘Ujjwala scheme, a flop’
Khera said the ‘Ujjwala Scheme’ is not guaranteeing a second refill. “Under Ujjwala Scheme, Modi government gives so-called concession of ₹1,600 for the gas connection. This cost is also eventually paid by the beneficiary in instalments. The cost of gas burner, as also of first cylinder, too is paid in instalments. Thereafter, the entire cost of every subsequent cylinder refill is also paid by the beneficiary. Absence of resources with the beneficiaries is the principle reason for its failure,” he said.
Duty hikes
He said since May 2014, the Centre has increased excise duty 12 times, raising the central excise duty on petrol by 211 per cent and on diesel by 443 per cent.
“Customs duty has been increased manifold. This has led to a ₹12-lakh crore ‘fuel loot’ by ‘fleecing and duping’ the common people. Why doesn’t Modi government roll back the excise and custom duty to give relief of ₹10-15 per litre?” he asked.
The Congress leader also demanded to know why petrol and diesel prices continue to rise despite average crude price during the last 52 months has been 55 per cent lesser than that during the UPA tenure.
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.