Fuelling a duel: BJP, Congress draw swords on petrol, diesel prices

Congress on Saturday said party-ruled states are “sensitively considering” the issue of reducing state taxes on petrol and diesel but sought to highlight that the latest reduction in excise duty by the Centre was insufficient.

It also demanded that the Centre should immediately withdraw the excise duty hike — Rs 13 on petrol and Rs 16 on diesel — imposed on fuel during the Covid-19 pandemic as the government itself pats on its back that the Goods and Service Tax collection has gone back to normal.

Citing the Global Hunger Index that showed India’s ranking declining, it said the Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana through which food grains are distributed to the poorest of the poor should not be stopped in November as has been announced and should continue till March 31 next year.