Petrol pumps have now become Modi's tax collection centers and the pictures of Modi smiling at these pumps is the proof that he is happy to see the rising prices of petrol and diesel, said All India Congress Committee (AICC), National Spokesperson, Gaurav Ballabh during a press meet organised at the party office in the State Capital on Thursday.
Ballav said that the Narendra Modi Government at the Center has changed the name of GDP. "When this Government talks about increasing GDP, it means the increase in the prices of gas, diesel and petrol. Modi Government now considers name change to be a development. Names are being changed from stadium to university," he added.
Before holding the press meet Ballabh joined the Bicycle Rally organised by Jharkhand Youth Congress (JYC), which began from Bapu Vatika in Morhabadi to the party headquarter. MLAs Dipika Pandey Singh, Rajesh Kachhap and JYC Chief, Kumar Gaurav among others participated in the event.
Attacking the Centre, Ballabh said that the policies of the Central Government are responsible for the rising prices of petrol, diesel and gas. Today, the base price of petrol is Rs 31 per liter and on this, the Government has imposed excise duty of Rs 32.5 per liter, he added.
"The tax imposed by the Government on the base price is more than 100 per cent. This is a gross injustice to the public. Similarly, where the excise duty in diesel was Rs 3.56 per liter during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, now it has been increased to Rs 31 per liter. That is, the excise duty on diesel has been increased by 250 per cent. The Government reduces the excise duty, then the VAT levied by the State Government itself will be reduced, because VAT is applied at full cost," he added.
Mocking at the Modi Government, Ballav said that the Government's argument on the increase in the prices of fuels is that it is not in their hands to stop the increase in prices. "The question is what is in the hands of this Government? If they do not have anything in their hands, then what right do they have to sit on power? In 2014 crude oil was $ 108 per barrel, which has been reduced to $ 62-63 per barrel, despite this, people have to buy Rs 100 per liter of petrol. The price of LPG has increased by Rs 175 per cylinder in 75 days. Where are those people who used to go around with a cylinder on the head when the price increases by Rs 10?" he asked.
Ballav slammed the Government for using various ways for increasing earnings through petrol. "In the seven years of Modi rule, 21.5 thousand crore rupees have been earned through tax on petrol and diesel. In this budget, cess has been imposed on them by reducing taxes. This means that the Government will no longer contribute the states' share in this medium," he added.
State Congress president Rameshwar Oraon and many Congress Legislature Party Leaders were also present on the occasion.
