Bhopal, May 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday attacked the BJP-led Centre over the latest hike in petrol and diesel prices, and demanded an immediate reduction of Rs 10 per litre to provide relief to the public in the state.
Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath said fuel rates had been raised again within a week, with petrol and diesel becoming costlier by 90 paise per litre from Tuesday.
“The government is citing international factors behind the increase in fuel prices. But the truth is that, for the people of Madhya Pradesh, state government taxes are a much bigger reason for the price rise than external factors,” Nath said.
He pointed out the sharp difference in fuel prices between Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
“Compared to Uttar Pradesh, petrol prices in Madhya Pradesh are on average Rs 13 higher per litre, while diesel prices are Rs 4 higher per litre,” the Congress leader said in a statement.
Nath, who served as Union Commerce Minister during the UPA government, said the state’s tax structure was responsible for the high rates.
He noted that Madhya Pradesh levies 29 per cent VAT along with Rs 2.5 and 1 per cent cess on petrol, while diesel attracts 19 per cent VAT with Rs 1.5 and 1 per cent cess.
“It is clear that citizens of Madhya Pradesh are paying more than Rs 30 per litre in taxes on petrol and more than Rs 20 per litre on diesel to the state government. This tax burden has no connection with international circumstances,” he said.
Following the latest hike, petrol prices in Bhopal rose to Rs 110.75 per litre and diesel to Rs 95.91 per litre.
Petrol crossed Rs 111 per litre in Ujjain, with prices in Indore and Jabalpur at Rs 110.79 per litre and Gwalior at Rs 110.69 per litre. Diesel will cost Rs 96.40 per litre in Ujjain, Rs 95.97 in Indore, Rs 95.98 in Jabalpur, and Rs 95.86 in Gwalior.
“I demand that the Madhya Pradesh government immediately reduce these taxes so that people in the state do not have to buy the costliest petrol and diesel. The government should immediately reduce petrol and diesel prices by Rs 10 per litre,” he stated.
He further claimed that higher fuel prices were also causing revenue losses to the state exchequer.
“Due to high diesel prices, truck operators and other heavy vehicle owners prefer to refuel in neighbouring states instead of Madhya Pradesh. People living in border districts are also purchasing fuel from there,” the Congress leader said.
State Congress president Jitu Patwari also criticised the BJP government over the latest increase in fuel prices.
“In just four days, petrol and diesel prices have increased by Rs 3.90 per litre, and the BJP government is still making false claims of controlling inflation,” Patwari said in a post on X.
“With every price increase, household expenses are rising, farming is becoming costlier, kitchens of the poor are becoming more expensive, and life is becoming difficult for the middle class,” he added.
Source: IANS
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