'Modi, Yediyurappa tax' looting, fleecing citizens, says Surjewala on fuel price hike

Petrol and diesel prices touched new highs on Wednesday after fuel rates were hiked for the ninth consecutive day

AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday asked the B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government to cut its share of tax to reduce fuel prices like Rajasthan has done, while slamming the saffron party for “looting and fleecing” citizens.

“The Rajasthan government reduced the local VAT rate for the state so that relief can be given to people. Why is the BJP government in Karnataka not reducing its own VAT rate on petrol and diesel so that relief can be given,” Surjewala asked, while speaking to reporters.

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“The BJP and the Modi government are looting and fleecing the people of this country, more so the people of Karnataka. For the 9th day in a row, petrol and diesel prices are now touching the sky. We have Modi and Yediyurappa tax on petrol and diesel. This loot must end,” he said.

The Congress leader said the actual cost of petrol and diesel in India is barely Rs 30. “While people - farmers, salaried class and middle class - are being made to pay from their pocket, Rs 20 lakh crore loot has happened in the last 6.5 years of BJP’s rule,” he said.

Surjewala also pointed out that the cost of cooking gas had crossed Rs 770 per cylinder.

Also read | Congress aims 'Modi tax' jibe at Centre over fuel price hike

“And tragically, only today it has been disclosed that for the 2021 financial year, the Modi government proposes to collect another Rs 2 lakh crore from taxes on petrol and diesel alone. If you add the state taxes and dealers' commission, it'd probably nationally come to Rs 3 lakh crore. Is that the way we're going to ameliorate the conditions of the people?” he said.

Surjewala, who is in charge of the Congress’ affairs in Karnataka, is slated to hold one-on-one meetings with party leaders ahead of elections to the BBMP, taluk panchayats and zilla panchayats.

“We’re trying to collate information based on the opinions of party leaders, workers and past candidates so that an action plan for the development of Karnataka’s rural hinterland as also for Bengaluru, a vision paper, can be presented on which the Congress will go to polls,” he said.