Coercive, Not Co-Operative: Rahul On PM’s Fuel Tax Appeal To States
Mumbai: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said 68% of all fuel taxes are taken by the Centre, yet, PM Narendra Modi abdicates the responsibility.
His remark comes after PM Modi urged several states to cut VAT on fuel. Also Read: Centre Owes Maha ₹26,500 Cr, State Not Responsible For Fuel Price Hike: Uddhav Thackeray
High fuel prices – blame states, coal shortage – blame states, oxygen shortage – blame states…(PM) Modi’s federalism isn’t cooperative. It’s coercive,” Gandhi tweeted. Also Read: Petrol Will Be Cheaper If States Cut Taxes On Fuel Instead Of Liquor: Petroleum Minister
https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1519536296284213249?s=20&t=BD3E45orRzuhBpC7BCGhPg
Earlier, naming Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Jharkhand, PM Modi said that these states have not reduced taxes on fuel and are earning more revenue than states like Karnataka, Gujarat. Also Read: PM Called Meet For COVID, Taunted CMs Of Non-BJP States On Fuel Price: Sanjay Raut
This issue has turned into a major controversy and all the states nominated by PM Modi disagree with the claims made by PM Modi.
Hitting out at Maharashtra, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hit back at the states, saying if the opposition-ruled states cut taxes on fuel instead of imported liquor, petrol would be cheaper.
“BJP ruled States have a VAT on petrol & diesel in the range of ₹14.50 to ₹17.50 /ltr, while taxes levied by states ruled by other parties are in the range of ₹26 to ₹32 /ltr. The difference is clear. Their intent is only to protest & criticise, not extend relief to the people,” the Union minister said.
Telangana minister KT Rama Rao said fuel prices have shot up because of the NPA central government.
“Name-calling states for not reducing VAT even though we never increased it; is this the co-operative federalism you’re talking about @narendramodi ji? Telangana hasn’t increased VAT on fuel since 2014 & rounded off only once,” the minister said.
https://twitter.com/KTRTRS/status/1519291122035568640?s=20&t=HBNED–NGQsz9yKz8r8AwQ
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said her government spent ₹1,500 crores in the last three years to subsidise petrol and diesel prices in the state.
“PM Narendra Modi has delivered a completely one-sided and misleading speech. The facts shared by him were wrong. We have been providing a subsidy of Re 1 on every litre of petrol and diesel for the last three years. We’ve spent ₹1,500 crores on this,” Mamata said after Wednesday’s meeting.
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