New Delhi: Congress party, on Monday, took a swipe at the Centre over the price hike of LPG gas cylinders saying that the Modi Government should be "ashamed" for increasing taxes at a time when people are facing a wage cut due to economic recession in the country.
The price of 14.2 kg non-subsidised gas cylinder in Delhi has been increased by Rs 50, making its cost at Rs 769. The new prices will be effective from today onwards.
While addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, "In the last 2 months, LPG gas prices have gone up by Rs 175 per cylinder. In February, we have seen a price hike of Rs 75. When we were in power, despite global crude oil rates were on peak, prices did not cross at about Rs 400 per cylinder."
Shrinate also mocked Union Minister Smriti Irani for not uttering a word over the matter as she used to hold protest over the petrol price hike when BJP was in opposition.
-
50 rupee hike in LPG!!!!! N they call themselves Aam Aadmi ki Sarkar. What a shame!
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 24, 2011 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">50 rupee hike in LPG!!!!! N they call themselves Aam Aadmi ki Sarkar. What a shame!
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 24, 201150 rupee hike in LPG!!!!! N they call themselves Aam Aadmi ki Sarkar. What a shame!
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 24, 2011
The rise in LPG cylinders price came at a time when petrol and diesel prices in the country have touched an all-time high. Today, the petrol and diesel prices across the country were hiked for the seventh consecutive day, taking the price at Rs 88.99 per litre for petrol and Rs 78.35 per litre for diesel, in the national capital.
Attacking the Central Government over the matter, Shrinate said, "Today we are at the economic recession, acute unemployment issues, wages have been cut and now to burden them with skyrocketing prices, thanks to the LPG cylinders, Petrol and diesel prices, where records have been set by this Government. This Government is not just insensitive, they also want to look at the other way."
She alleged that the Government has amassed Rs 24,000 crore, by raising the excise duty about 12 times in its tenure so far.
"Hike in petrol and diesel prices will all be amassed by the Central Government and not a single penny will be given to the states," said the Congress leader.
She asserted, "When we were in Government, the tax on diesel was Rs 3.5 per litre, which is today at Rs 32. On petrol, it was Rs 9 per litre, during our Government, which has now reached to Rs 33 per litre. Who is going to be answerable for that?"
Raising the issue of petrol and diesel price cut in Assam, a decision which comes ahead of the assembly elections in the state, Shrinate slammed the Government saying, "Every step they take is geared towards elections. Assam is cutting over fuel prices because it going to have elections. We are also in Government in Rajasthan, where out in term we also cut taxes. Why has this government shows insensitiveness towards the needs of common people?"
She added, "I also believe that if the common men and women will start raising tough questions over this government as far as economic mismanagement and skyrocketing prices are concerned, they will be labelled anti-national, sedition cases will be filed against them and they will perhaps be lodged in jail."
-
जनता से लूट,
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 15, 2021 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
सिर्फ़ ‘दो’ का विकास।#LPGPriceHike pic.twitter.com/GHdNcQJFYq
">जनता से लूट,
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 15, 2021
सिर्फ़ ‘दो’ का विकास।#LPGPriceHike pic.twitter.com/GHdNcQJFYqजनता से लूट,
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 15, 2021
सिर्फ़ ‘दो’ का विकास।#LPGPriceHike pic.twitter.com/GHdNcQJFYq
Congress demanded an immediate rollback of the increased taxes on the fuel prices. Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also hit out at the Government, by tweeting a clipping of a news report, saying, "Janta se loot, sirf 'do' ka vikas."
Also Read: Cooking gas price hiked by Rs 50, to cost Rs 769 in Delhi
