Why are people made to pay so much for petrol when global crude oil prices are low, asks Cong

Congress on Friday hit out at government over fuel rates and demanded an answer from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on why people are being made to pay so much when international crude oil prices are low.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that government has become a "curse" for people as it has imposed high taxes on petrol and diesel which is hitting budgets of common man in se times of pandemic and slowing ecomy.

He claimed that government has "looted Rs 21.50 lakh crore from people of this country by taxing petrol and diesel ever since it came to power in May 2014".

Surjewala alleged that BJP has w become "Bhayankar Jan-loot Party" as it has raised prices of petrol and diesel since last 11 days in a row.

He said that since May 2019, government has raised prices of petrol and diesel 200 times or more.

" Modi government is robbing people of country with both hands of ir hard-earned money. On one side re is an all-round inflation and on or, re is a spurt in prices of petrol-diesel and gas. In many parts of country, petrol has crossed 100 and diesel has crossed 90. That is why common public is saying that Modi ji has only one slogan, 'Hum Do, Hamare Do", he alleged at a press conference.

"If cost price of petrol is Rs 32 per litre and that of diesel is Rs 33 per litre, as per government documents, n why are we being charged Rs 100 and Rs 90 respectively for petrol and diesel. Prime Minister Modi should himself come forward and answer," he claimed.

Surjewala furr claimed that on May 26, 2014, when Congress was voted out of power and Modi government came, price of crude oil was USD 108 per barrel and on February 19, 2021, crude oil price is USD 65 per barrel as per old companies.

Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said "re is a saying by Modi government that everyone is at fault for rising fuel prices except government. Everyone is responsible, previous government, prices, inflation- everyone is responsible for increase in this price except government." "We demand that when people want more money in ir hands, when common people of our country want more disposable income, when ecomy requires more cash in hands of people to revive demand, you are consistently increasing petrol and diesel prices," he said.

Drawing a comparison with situation in 2014, he said crude oil price is 41 per cent lower today but petrol prices are 26 per cent higher.

"We demand on behalf of common people of our country, agriculturists, farmers that immediately you should roll back se hikes, which you had done in last 6 years, as se are sinful activities against common people of our country," Vallabha alleged.