After Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off higher fuel prices in opposition-ruled states during a meeting with chief ministers, the BJP on Wednesday cited figures to say eight out of 10 states with high prices of petrol and diesel have non-smoking states. BJP is ruled by parties.
Party sources also refuted the opposition’s allegations against the Modi government for rising fuel prices and said the country’s price has been relatively low compared to major economies, which, like India, are heavily dependent on crude imports.
BRICS countries cited-
India has the second lowest prices of petrol and diesel among the BRICS countries when their currency exchange rates are adjusted against the rupee. He said its price in Russia is low because it is an oil producing country.
He said that among the eight ASEAN countries, the price of petrol is the fourth lowest and the price of diesel is the fifth lowest. Bihar where the BJP shares power with the Janata Dal (United) and BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh are among the 10 states with the highest petrol and diesel prices.
Highest price in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana-
The three states with the highest petrol prices are Andhra Pradesh (121.40), Maharashtra (120.51) and Telangana (119.49). Diesel prices are also highest in Andhra Pradesh (Rs 107), Telangana (105.49) and Maharashtra (104.77), BJP sources said.
Apart from these three states, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Jharkhand did not cut taxes, while the Center cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 10.
Sources claimed that the Center has suffered a revenue loss of Rs 1 lakh crore every year. Seven opposition-ruled states earned an additional Rs 11,945 crore by not slashing taxes, compared to most BJP-ruled states that took the cut.
Revenue spent in welfare measures like free food grains-
The ruling party claimed that the Center has used its revenue for welfare measures like free food grains, which have now been extended till September, raising the expenditure to Rs 3.4 lakh crore from the earlier estimated Rs 2.6 lakh crore Is.
The party also mentioned free COVID-19 vaccines through government-run centers and cash transfers to poor women during the pandemic.
BJP sources rejected former finance minister P Chidambaram’s criticism of the central government and also cited RBI data that the total expenditure on free food grains and cash transfers to farmers and women among other items did not exceed Rs 2,25,000 crore, Which is less than the annual fuel tax collected by the Centre. The Congress leader had said that the Center earned Rs 26.5 lakh crore from fuel tax alone between 2014-21.
The post Opposition accuses Modi of playing politics on fuel prices, BJP criticizes hypocrisy appeared first on Spotlight 7.
source https://spotlight7.com/politics/opposition-accuses-modi-of-playing-politics-on-fuel-prices-bjp-criticizes-hypocrisy/
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