New Delhi: Congress’ Delhi unit has said that it will launch a campaign to collect one million signatures against the recent hike in petrol and diesel prices.
Attacking the Modi government over the increase in petrol and diesel prices, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Maken said, “The Modi government has inflicted another blow on the people of the country in this soaring heat with a steep hike in prices of petrol and diesel.” He added that the campaign will be conducted between June 6 to June 8.
Petrol and diesel prices have seen a steep hike of Rs. 4.47 a litre and Rs. 6.46 a litre respectively in the last five weeks, taking retail rates to their highest in one year. The latest increase came on May 31 when oil companies hiked petrol price by Rs. 2.58 per litre and diesel by Rs. 2.26 a litre.
Mr Maken also attacked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for increasing VAT and excise duty on petroleum products twice in the past 15 months. Terming the hike as “Modi + Kejriwal Tax”, he said the common people were being deceived by the state and central governments by this “unjustified” increase.
“Modi and Kejriwal should immediately withdraw the excise duty and VAT on petrol and diesel so that the prices of petrol and diesel may go down providing respite to people,” he said.
About Mr Kejriwal, Mr Maken said, “He used to make tall talks like there was no need to hike taxes in Delhi, but in his 15-month rule, Kejriwal hiked VAT on petrol and diesel twice to put a heavy burden on the people.”
He said the signatures of people opposing the hike will be submitted to PM Modi or Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Mr Kejriwal.
PTI