Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has criticised the Congress-led Karnataka government for increasing fuel prices. Puri highlighted that the state's decision has burdened residents with an additional Rs 3 per litre for petrol and diesel.
He pointed out that this hike contradicts the Congress's unfulfilled promise of transferring Rs 8500 per month to women in each family.
Puri argued that this increase in fuel prices would lead to higher costs for essential goods like food, clothing, and medicine, affecting the overall cost of living. He emphasised that the Congress government’s decision exposes its hypocrisy, as it speaks against inflation but imposes significant Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel compared to BJP-ruled states.
According to Puri, petrol in Karnataka is now Rs 8.21 per litre more expensive than in BJP-governed states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. The price difference is even more significant when compared to BJP-ruled Arunachal Pradesh, where petrol is over Rs 12 per litre cheaper, and diesel costs Rs 8.59 per litre less than in Karnataka.
Puri praised the Narendra Modi-led NDA government for effectively managing fuel prices during global energy crises. He noted that from November 2021 to May 2024, petrol prices in India decreased by about 14% and diesel by nearly 11%.
In contrast, during the same period, petrol prices in the United States rose by 29%, and neighbouring countries Pakistan and Sri Lanka experienced severe financial strain due to rising global crude prices.
Puri also detailed the Modi government's steps to reduce fuel prices, including significant cuts in excise duty in November 2021 and May 2022. These cuts reduced petrol prices by Rs 13 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 16 per litre in total. Additionally, on March 14 this year, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) further reduced fuel prices by Rs 2 per litre.
Puri criticised Congress-ruled states like Telangana and West Bengal for having higher fuel prices compared to BJP-ruled states. For instance, petrol in Telangana is Rs 12.76 per litre higher than in Uttar Pradesh, and diesel is Rs 7.89 per litre more expensive. Similarly, petrol prices in West Bengal are Rs 9.29 per litre higher than in Gujarat.
Puri credited PM Modi's leadership for ensuring that India remained the only country where fuel prices decreased during a period of global price surges caused by the war in Europe.
On the same day, Karnataka's Leader of Opposition and BJP leader R Ashoka announced plans for a protest against the state government's fuel price hike. Ashoka revealed that the BJP would mobilise bullock carts and bikes for a demonstration in front of the Vidhana Soudha. The protest, led by BJP State President BY Vijayendra and Ashoka, aims to highlight public dissatisfaction with the Congress government's decision.
The price hike follows an official notification from the Karnataka government revising the sales tax on petroleum products. This revision increased the sales tax on petrol from 25.92% to 29.84% and on diesel from 14.3% to 18.4%.
As a result, petrol prices in Bengaluru surged by Rs 3 per litre to Rs 102.84, and diesel prices rose by Rs 3.02 per litre to Rs 88.95. The Petroleum Dealers Association attributed the price increase to the revised state sales tax.
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