New Delhi, April 27 (Agency) Congress on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his comments asking states to reduce tax on petrol, and said excise on petrol under the NDA government is much higher compared to the UPA. Congress Chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said during the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, excise on petrol was Rs 9.48 per litre, and on diesel it was Rs 3.56 per litre. He said under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, excise on Petrol is Rs 27.90 litre, and on diesel it is Rs 21.80. “No criticism, No distractions, No Jumlas! Please give an account of Rs 27,00,00,00,00,00,00 (Rs 27 Lakh Crore) collected by BJP Govt from Tax on Petrol and Diesel,” he said.
“26th May, 2014, when PM Modi assumed charge, the Crude was US$ 108, but Petrol and Diesel was at Rs 71.41 and Rs 55.49 per litre. Today, Crude oil is US$ 100.20 per barrel, but Petrol, Diesel prices have been increased to Rs 105.41/litre and Rs 96.67/litre in Delhi,” he said. “We will urge all states to decrease VAT on petrol, diesel to pre-May 2014 level. Please admit the BJP government earned Rs 27 Lakh Crore from petrol, diesel while all states collectively received about 16.5 Lakh Crore,” he said. “Central government revenue from petrol, diesel has doubled in eight years,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a meeting with Chief Ministers of all states on Covid, asked state governments to reduce tax on petrol and diesel to give relief to people. He said the union government reduced excise in November, and mentioned the BJP ruled states which had reduced VAT following the center’s decision. He also compared petrol prices in states ruled by Congress and other Opposition parties and in BJP ruled states and center administered Union Territories.