Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Centre of earning Rs 4 lakh crores by raising petrol, diesel and gas prices. Not referring to the several BJP-governed states that have slashed VAT, she said, “They give states governed by them thousands of crores. They don’t even give vaccines to us, let’s not talk of funds. They only talk big.”
Banerjee said despite meagre resources, Bengal had announced a Re 1/litre cut in state taxes on both petrol and diesel back in February.
“There is a pressing problem. Prices of petrol, diesel and gas are spiralling every day. This is escalating prices everywhere. People’s money is getting choked because they must spend more on fuel. Banks are unable to do adequate transactions. They are selling off SAIL, RAIL, Coal (India) and BHEL. This will only increase unemployment and therefore poverty,” she said.
