Central government has utterly failed to check inflation: Punia
Raipur:Inflation has become a major concern for the country today and BJP-led NDA government at centre has utterly failed to check the same, asserted Congress Chhattisgarh In-Charge P L Punia on Thursday. Talking to media here in Raipur, Punia said that the skyrocketing price of essential commodities in the country has broken the backbone of the common man, thanks to the Central government policies. He termed the inflation as a sponsored disaster.
Wrong policies had led to the hike in prices of essential commodities and fuel. But the NDA government at Centre is not at all worried about poor people, labourers and common man as it is busy in pleasing a few capitalists, Punia said.
Excise duty of Rs 9.48 per litre was levied on petrol in 2013 during the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government while Rs 27.90 per litre excise duty on petrol is being charged in 2021. Excise duty on diesel was at Rs 3.56 per litre in 2013 while it is now Rs 21.80 per litre on diesel.
The price of crude oil in world market was average 115 US dollar during the UPA rule while average price of crude oil is 54 US dollar per barrel in the NDA rule.
Around Rs 99,000 crore as excise duty on fuel was collected by the Central government during the UPA rule within one year while Rs 4,51,000 crore as excise duty on fuel is being collected within one year in the NDA rule. Rs 25,00,000 crore has been earned by the NDA government in the last seven years in excise of fuel, Puniaadded.
Replying to a query on reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel, Punia said that the BJP ruled states, who reduced VAT recently, were charging higher VAT in comparison to Chhattisgarh. Less VAT is being charged on fuel in Chhattisgarh in comparison with neighbouringstates. The state government will take a decision on reduction of VAT on fuel according to the assessment of the circumstances and conditions, he added.
State Congress President Mohan Markam, who was also present at the press conference, said that the Congress party has launched “Jan Jagran Abhiyan” against rising inflation in the state from November 14 and it will continue till November 29.