The Congress' Mumbai chief Sanjay Nirupam today lashed out at the Union government for rising petrol and diesel prices, alleging that it was neither addressing the issue nor did it have a back-up plan.
Petrol prices on Sunday hit its highest levels since September, 2014 while diesel prices broke their previous high achieved in February this year.
"Fuel prices are at an all-time high. 'Achhe din' is nowhere in sight. The government does not have a back-up plan and it isn't addressing the issue either. This is a government that is anti-people and cares only for the ultra-rich," Nirupam said today.
He said that fuel should be brought under the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax so that they are available to consumers at cheaper rates.
"It should either be brought under GST or taxes on petrol and diesel should be removed immediately," he said.
Stating that the Union government's growth in revenue from petroleum was the highest in 2015-16 and 2016-17 at 25 per cent, Nirupam said the government was "milking the common man".
More From This Section
"In 2013-14 and 2014-15, this growth stood at around 9-10 per cent. It is clear that the BJP government has been milking the common man and denying them the benefit of lower crude oil prices that prevailed internationally during the initial years," Nirupam claimed.
He said that the rise in fuel prices would increase transportation costs which in turn would raise prices of vegetables and other essential commodities.