Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Feb 16: “Though the crude oil prices in the international market are $ 50, the union government has imposed exorbitant taxes and increased the prices of Petrol and Diesel to astronomical levels. Though the price of crude oil was $ 127 during the Manmohan Singh government, the government had reduced the taxes with the welfare of people in mind and provided petrol and diesel at prices lesser than the current prices. But BJP which was the opposition party then had taken it as a pretext and was protesting on the streets several times,” stated district Congress spokesperson Bhaskar Rao Kidiyoor in a press release.
“Why is the concern of BJP then not being seen now? It is ironic that BJP leaders act as if they are not bothered even though prices are rising every day. The excise cess on petrol in 2014 was Rs 9.48. But the current BJP government has imposed the excise cess of Rs 32.98.
Similarly, it has imposed excise cess of Rs 31.20 for diesel. The BJP government at the centre has made the price of diesel equal to that of petrol. It has increased the cost of transport thereby increasing prices of other commodities. Ordinary people during BJP rule are looking at destruction instead of evolution.”
“The uncontrolled price rise of petrol and diesel reflects on the fearful failure of the governments at the centre and the state. The prices of petrol and diesel have already crossed Rs 95.21 and Rs 86.04 and there is fear that those may soon reach Rs 100. The state government and the centre can reduce the burden on people by reducing the cess. But the centre is working on looting the people in all the ways.”
Rise in cooking gas prices
“While ordinary people are devastated by the rise in petrol prices, the government which had increased cooking gas prices by Rs 100 during January has increased it by another Rs 50 now. The price of 14.2 kg gas cylinder has gone up to Rs 769 from Rs 719. As the government has stopped crediting subsidy to the bank accounts of the customers, the customers are burdened all the more. The government under the democratic setup should be for the welfare of people and not to loot them,” stated district Congress spokesperson Bhaskar Rao Kidiyoor reacting to the price rises of petrol and diesel.