PTI

New Delhi, April 27

The Congress on Wednesday hit again at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his assault on the opposition-ruled states for not lowering Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, saying the excise responsibility throughout UPA authorities was a lot decrease than what it’s underneath the Modi regime and requested the PM to roll again the hike.

Congress chief Randeep Surjewala alleged that the Modi authorities has earned as a lot as Rs 27 lakh crore from taxes on petrol and diesel and demanded an account of the cash.

“Modiji, no criticism, no distractions, no Jumlas! Excise Duty during Congress Government – Petrol – Rs 9.48/litre and Diesel – Rs 3.56/litre. Modi Government – Petrol – Rs 27.90/litre and Diesel – Rs 21.80/litre. Please roll back the excise hike of Rs 18.42 in Petrol and Rs 18.24 per litre in Diesel,” Surjewala mentioned on Twitter.

He mentioned the celebration will urge the states to lower VAT on gasoline to pre-May 2014 stage, however the Centre should additionally admit that it earned Rs 27 lakh crore in earnings from petrol and diesel, towards Rs 16.5 lakh crore earned collectively by states.

“The central government revenue from petrol/diesel has doubled in 8 years,” Surjewala mentioned.

The Congress chief mentioned that on May 26, 2014, when Prime Minister Modi assumed cost, the crude oil was US $108, however petrol and diesel was at Rs 71.41 and Rs 55.49 per litre.

“But today, crude oil is US $100.20 per barrel, but the petrol/diesel prices have been increased to Rs 105.41/litre and Rs 96.67/litre in Delhi,” he mentioned.

Union minister Anurag Thakur parried the Congress’ assault asking the celebration why it was depriving folks of advantages of decrease petrol and diesel costs.

He mentioned the BJP-ruled states lowered VAT on petrol and diesel few months again, whereas the governments dominated by opposition events nonetheless haven’t achieved it.

BJP-ruled states lowered the taxes, and Karnataka misplaced Rs 5,000 crore, Gujarat misplaced 4,000, and lots of different states misplaced taxes value crores of rupees, however folks there benefitted from decrease petrol and diesel charges, he mentioned.

“But, the opposition parties are looking only at the Centre and have not reduced taxes in states ruled by them. What is the reason? Do they not want to benefit people of their states who have brought them to power?” he requested.

“We urge them to cut down the taxes so that the common people benefit from lower petrol and diesel rates,” Thakur mentioned.

Earlier within the day, Modi identified that some states didn’t scale back VAT on petrol and diesel regardless of the lower in excise responsibility by the Centre final November.

He mentioned the states had achieved “injustice” to the folks by not transferring the advantages of the lower to them.

Speaking at an interplay with chief ministers on the emergent COVID-19 state of affairs within the nation, Modi mentioned he needed to flag the challenges being confronted by the folks as a result of warfare.

“The situation of war which has arisen, has affected the supply chain, and in such an environment, the challenges are increasing day by day,” Modi mentioned in an obvious reference to the Russia-Ukraine battle.

“This global crisis is bringing many challenges. In such a situation, it has become imperative to further enhance the spirit of cooperative federalism and coordination between the Centre and states,” he mentioned.