Maha Cong to hold protests against soaring fuel prices

Claiming that fuel prices in India are the highest in the entire south Asia at present, Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan today said the party would soon hold protests demanding inclusion of petrol and diesel within the ambit of the GST.

Chavan alleged the government increased taxes on petrol and diesel in a bid to recoverfrom the common man the loans not paid by businessmen Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya.

"Petrol and diesel prices are the highest in India in the entire south Asia," the former chief minister said.

Prices of petrol and diesel have surged to a four-year high of Rs 73.83 a litre and Rs 64.69 a litre, respectively, in Delhi.

 

Fuel rates that are revised every morning witnessed a surge of 11-12 paise since Sunday.

In Mumbai, petrol costs Rs 81.69 a litre while diesel Rs 69 per litre.

The rising fuel prices have triggered demands for slashing of Excise duty on petroleum products.

"Since May 2014, international crude prices have come down by 30 per cent. While current Excise duty on petrol and diesel is 48.2 per cent and 38.9 per cent, respectively, it was 9.2 per cent on petrol before 2014," said Chavan.

He said the government was passing on the inflation burden to the common man by not reducing excise duty on petrol and diesel.

The Congress leader also criticised the BJP's upcoming rally in Mumbai, to be held on April 6 to mark its Foundation Day. The rally would be addressed by BJP president Amit Shah.

"One wonders what is there to celebrate when more than 13,000 farmers havecommitted suicide?" he asked.

Speaking separately, Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam announced the city unit of the party would take out a cycle march from the Mahalaxmi racecourse to Tilak statue at Chowpatty in Central Mumbai against the fuel rate hike.

"When the UPA government was in power, we managed to rein in fuel prices at Rs 65 per litre despite the crude prices trading at USD 130 dollars per barrel in the international market," he said.