New Delhi, March 27 The BJP on Friday strongly criticized the opposition for its "misleading campaign" regarding fuel prices while welcoming the Centre's decision to cut excise duty on petrol and diesel, saying this move will provide much-needed relief to ordinary citizens.
The government has reduced excise duty on petrol to ₹3 per litre and completely exempted diesel from duty. In addition, it has imposed an export duty of ₹21.5 per litre on diesel and ₹29.5 per litre on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to discourage exports and improve domestic supply.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the excise duty on petrol and diesel has been reduced to ensure that the burden of rising global oil prices does not fall on the public, while the tax has been imposed on exports to maintain adequate domestic supply.
"The excise duty has been reduced so that the burden does not fall on the public. In India, we refine crude oil, which we import, and we also export many other refined products besides petrol and diesel," she said.
"At the same time, a tax has been imposed on export-oriented refineries to ensure domestic availability of fuel. They have been directed to sell at a certain rate and ensure that petrol, diesel, and ATF are available within the country," she added.
She further stated that the government will bear the rising costs to maintain stable retail prices.
In response to the opposition, Sitharaman said that they had "gone too far".
"This shows how petty the opposition has become. There is nothing more shameful than politicizing an issue that is meant to provide relief to the public," she added.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur targeted the Congress, alleging that while the Narendra Modi government has reduced the burden on citizens, the Congress-ruled states have taken steps to increase it.
"First of all, we express our gratitude to the Prime Minister for the historic decision to reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel. At a time when fuel prices have risen sharply across the world, India is perhaps the only country that has reduced excise duty and directly benefited 140 crore citizens," Thakur told reporters in the Parliament House complex.
He claimed that the Congress has a history of increasing taxes on fuel in states ruled by it.
"The Congress has repeatedly increased VAT in the states ruled by it, burdening the common people. In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress government has decided to impose a ₹5 cess on petrol and diesel and is preparing to implement it," he said.
"This is the difference between the BJP and the Congress. While the Modi government takes decisions in the interest of the people, Congress-ruled states like Himachal are increasing the burden on citizens," said the MP from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur.
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Monday passed the VAT Amendment Bill to levy an orphan and widow cess of up to ₹5 per litre on petrol and diesel, amid a walkout by the opposition BJP.
Thakur also took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi's "khata-khat" model.
"This is Gandhi's 'khata-khat khatara' model, which only ends up increasing the burden on the common people and hitting them with inflation," the BJP leader said.
He also accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of spreading misleading narratives on fuel prices and said such statements were aimed at creating confusion among the public.
"Banerjee is morally down, emotionally down, and her image among voters is also declining. Her meltdown has begun, and the countdown has started. When the countdown begins, leaders start making such misleading statements, as Mamata ji is doing," the former Union minister alleged.
BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi cited the global energy situation to defend the Centre's decision, saying the government has acted with sensitivity in a difficult environment.
"In this era of globalisation, it is not possible for India to remain unaffected. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government has taken decisions with great caution, alertness, and sensitivity to ensure that the burden does not fall on the common people," Trivedi said.
"This decision, taken under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the ministry led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, shows how sensitive the government is towards the people and how it is working to protect public interests even in adverse circumstances," Trivedi added.
Referring to Ram Navami, he said the decision reflects that the prime minister drew inspiration from the ideals of Lord Ram and made essential items affordable.
BJP's ally Shiv Sena also supported the Centre’s decision to cut excise duty on petroleum products, describing it as a “citizen-centric move” that will provide relief to people amid rising global fuel prices.
In a post on X, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde said that at a time when fuel prices are increasing worldwide due to tensions in West Asia, the Centre has prioritised the interests of citizens.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the central government has significantly reduced the excise duty on petrol and diesel,” he said.