Petrol diesel prices have increased rapidly in India for the last few days. Due to this people are also facing inflation. There is also a demand for a reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel. Amidst all this, PM Modi appealed to the states to reduce the VAT being charged on petrol and diesel. After this statement of PM Modi, politics in the country has intensified. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit back on Wednesday, saying that her government has been working to keep the prices of petrol and diesel under control for the last three years, and spent 1,500 crores so far.
PM Modi had questioned the high fuel prices in opposition-ruled states like Maharashtra, Kerala, and West Bengal. Addressing the media at the state secretariat, Mamata Banerjee said, “Today’s conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was completely one-sided and misleading. The facts shared by him were wrong. We have been providing a subsidy of Rs1 on every liter of petrol and diesel for the last three years. We have spent 1,500 crores since then.” She also claimed that there is no scope for the chief ministers to speak in the meeting and hence, they cannot respond to the Prime Minister’s statement. “It would have been better if the PM did not talk about the hike in fuel prices during the review meeting of the Covid-19 agenda,” Mamata said.
Let us enlighten the Prime Minister on this momentous day…
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 27, 2022
👉 GoI owes GoWB a WHOPPING ₹97,807.91 Cr
👉 GoWB has been giving a rebate of ₹1/ltr on Petrol & Diesel since February 2021, in order to reduce the burden on people
👉 GoWB has waived ₹400 Cr of road tax on vehicles
Actually, PM Modi had a meeting with the Chief Ministers of the states regarding Corona. During this, PM Modi appealed to opposition states like Maharashtra, Kerala, and West Bengal to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel, so that the public can get some relief from inflation. On this, TMC supremo Mamta Banerjee hit back saying that PM Modi’s statement was one-sided and confusing. The facts shared by him are wrong.
Mamta Banerjee further said that PM Modi is asking states to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel. We owe Rs 97,000 crore to the Centre. If the government pays even half of it, then we will deduct VAT. Mamta said that as soon as the government’s dues are cleared, we will start giving subsidies of Rs 3000 crore on petrol and diesel. I have no problem with giving subsidies, but how will I run my government. Mamta said that we promise that, if the government gives our dues, then we will remove all taxes from petrol and diesel for the next 5 years.
Other opposition parties have also accused PM Modi of playing politics during his meeting and deliberately targeting states to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray accused the Center of treating the state step-motherly, saying the state owes Rs 26,500 crore to the Centre. Maharashtra is not responsible for the increase in petrol and diesel prices.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala attacked Modi, demanding the account for the Rs 27 lakh crore “collected” by the BJP government from taxes on petrol and diesel. Surjewal said “Modi Ji, no criticism, no distraction, no jumla! Please give an account of 27 lakh crore collected by BJP government from tax on petrol and diesel.” Surjewala said. He said that on 26 May 2014, when Modi took office, the price of crude oil was $108 a barrel, but the price of petrol and diesel was ₹71.41 and ₹55.49 per litre, whereas today crude oil is $100.20 a barrel, But the prices of petrol and diesel have been increased by ₹105.41/litre and ₹96.67/litre respectively in Delhi.
On video conferencing with the state governments, PM Modi had said that all state governments should reduce VAT to reduce the burden on the public. Referring to several BJP-ruled states, the PM said that many states including Maharashtra, Kerala, and West Bengal should also pay attention to this initiative.
